I’ll admit, after my first daughter was weaned and before I was pregnant with my second baby, when my body was mine and mine alone, there was a window of time when I engaged in some toxic beauty treatments. A little bit of Botox, some prescription Retin A—and Keratin hair treatments. I thought the Botox would be the poisonous addiction I’d develop, but honestly, the hair-smoothing, time-saving, frizz-fighting Keratin was the most life-changing.

I’ve been off the hair treatment wagon for a few years now, especially since the big Keratin bust of 2011, when it was revealed that most Keratin treatments had wildly high levels of formaldehyde. I just didn’t even want to go near it. But I was thrilled recently to learn about Trissola from the pros at the Serge Normant at John Frieda Salon where I get my color done in New York City. I’m a few weeks in and my hair is smoother and more manageable and more humidity-proof, which is really all I can ever hope for. (Plus, I can nuzzle my girls without worrying about chemical vapors.) The results rival Keratin but the integrity of your hair is more intact. In fact, the healing vitamins and oils in Trissola are touted as an anti-aging formula for hair. The treatment is actually nourishing, unlike traditional Keratins, which, I can attest, are ultimately are very drying.

Here’s the lowdown:

Most Notable: There are no formaldehyde derivitates, lye or cyseteine.

Key Ingredients: Powered by peptides. Hair is infused with panthenol, keratin, antioxidants and coconut oil to increase strength and elasticity and seal cuticles.

The Process: A two hour process that closely resembles a Keratin treatment: product is applied, hair is dried then flat-ironed. However, there are no restrictions—hair can be washed immediately.

The Results: Moderate, though meaningful: smoother hair, sealed cuticles, blow-dry time cut in half. Humidity resistant. Lasts up to twelve weeks.

Trissola is safe for all hair-types and the treatment is tweaked accordingly—left on longer or shorter depending on hair porosity and texture. I highly recommend it. The one caveat is that my colored hair was stripped a bit. This was easily remedied with a glossing treatment, but bear it mind that Trissola must be done ten days before of after color. For what it’s worth, Keratin treatments mucked with my color, too.

If you’re in New York City and want to learn more about Trissola, call the talented Renee Cohen at Serge Normant at John Freida. (The great Steven Amendola does my color there, FYI.)