Keratin. It's the buzzword floating around the beauty industry. And with summer's frizz-creating humidity, keratin treatments are a hot topic in the salon.

Brand Name: Keratin Complex Smoothing Therapy by Coppola
How long it's been on the market: Launched 2007.
What it does: Keratin Complex leaves hair shiny, smooth and silky for three months. It reduces frizz and curl up to 95 percent and works on all hair types, including colortreated hair. In addition, it contains 42
percent real keratin in the serum.
Why it's different: Traditional straighteners (thio-orlye-based) change the chemical bonds of the hair. This therapy does not alter the bonds. Instead, it conditions hair while infusing natural keratin deep into the
cuticle of the hair shaft while it's open. During the process, a keratinous seal is formed around each individual hair shaft, imparting a smooth, straighter look. As a result, natural keratin is restored into the cuticle.

Brand name: Rusk Deepshine Smooth Keratin Care
How long it's been on the market: June 2010.
What it does: These sodium- and sodium chloride-free, color-safe formulas strengthen and smooth the hair. Natural keratin, vitamins and nourishing marine botanicals help prevent breakage and provide thermal protection. They help restore elasticity, seal in moisture and lock out humidity leaving hair smooth, shiny and manageable.
Why it's different: Specially formulated products with keratin help to replenish and restore the hair's overall health and appearance. This is a maintenance system for anyone who has had a keratin smoothing treatment or chemical straightening service. Plus, these products before a treatment can help ensure hair is in the best possible
condition for chemical services.

Brand name: Kerafusion Keratin Treatment by De Fabulous
How long it's been on the market: Fall 2009.
What it does: Kerafusion restructures and rejuvenates even the most fragile hair while smoothing and eliminating frizz completely. Kerafusion combines keratin proteins with De Fabulous' Amazon secret: Açaí berry extracts that provide anti-oxidants and vitamins A and E for strength, health and shine.
Why it's different: Kerafusion can be washed out after just 24 hours, making the process of
keratin treatments more convenient. In the application and activation processes no harsh fumes or smoke are produced, making it easy, safe and effective.

Brand Name: The Global Keratin Hair Taming System with Juvexin
How long it's been on the market: Founded in 2006, but in February, the hair taming system was relaunched with Juvexin, an active ingredient in all of Global Keratin's products including the treatment and aftercare line of shampoos, conditioners and serums.
What it does: Juvexin maintains hair's natural properties by creating a shield over each strand, penetrating the cuticle and restoring it from the inside out while protecting and repairing damage caused by UV rays, pollution, relaxers, color treatments, daily styling and even aging.
Why it's different: Juvexin is not over processed or hydrolyzed and has been proven in laboratory tests to retain the long chains of amino acids, which allow keratin to protect and restore hair. With more than 50 worldwide patents, Juvexin is a unique formulation of proteins optimized specifically for hair.

Brand Name: Marcia Teixeira Brazilian Keratin Treatment
How long it's been on the market: 2006
What it does: It enables the molecules of keratin, which is the protective substance in our hair, skin and nails, to
penetrate the hair cortex, improving and repairing the condition of the hair from the inside.
Why it's different: This is the original product of its kind introduced to the U.S. market and continues to deliver successful results. The product line includes three different formulas, allowing clients with any hair type-dry, frizzy, over-processed, color-treated, coarse, or multi-textured-to be a candidate for the service.