‘I Took It for Granted’ (Exclusive)

NEED TO KNOW

• Isabella Strahan opened up to PEOPLE about the new relationship she has with her hair after navigating brain cancer

• She says she values ​​her curls more than ever and is looking forward to prioritizing healthy hair so it can grow back

• The model, 21, is the new brand ambassador for FAST Haircare as she continues her hair growth journey

Isabella Strahan admits that it took a battle with cancer to make her recognize that her beauty comes from more than just her hair. But at the end of the day, the 21-year-old still can’t wait to get her voluminous curls back.

The model and daughter of Michael Strahanwho was diagnosed with a brain tumor in October 2023 and declared cancer-free in July 2024, is the first-ever ambassador of FAST Haircare nor the brand marks the debut of its hair growth line.

Announcing the partnership exclusively with PEOPLE, Strahan opened up about the evolving relationship she has with her hair.

“Pre-cancer diagnosis, I would always kind of equate my beauty with my hair because I would get so many compliments. It was strawberry, red auburn and people would always comment on the color, the length, the texture,” she tells PEOPLE. “So when I didn’t have it, I was like, ‘Oh no. I’m never gonna be pretty again.’”

“Sometimes I’m like, ugh I really took advantage of my hair,” she adds. “I was doing slick backs for a few days, oil in my hair, just kinda lazy about it because I was like, ‘I’m always gonna have hair’… And then I didn’t have any hair.”

Strahan is now working on regrowing the curls she lost throughout chemotherapy. She always had long hair so she’s in new territory right now, recalling the slight panic she had seeing her “chemo curls” for the first time. Chemo curls refers to the temporary change in hair texture following cancer treatment.

“When it first started growing back, it was like pin straight and black. I was like, oh my gosh, chemo changed my texture and color. But now it feels curlier and it’s getting back to looking lighter.”

The college student is currently rocking a short curly afro. But she admits she has a “love-hate relationship” with her hair as she adjusts to the length.

It’s been more difficult to manage bad hair days because she can’t just slick her hair back into a bun. But on the good hair days, she loves the confidence from her healthy curls.

“It’s just a journey and a process kind of learning my hair. But as it’s growing back and I’m feeling more like myself, I learned that my beauty, it’s not about my hair,” she explains. “It’s really about just feeling confident. It’s how you feel yourself and where you’re at.”

And what navigating cancer taught Strahan is that she wants to prioritize taking care of herself more — and that includes taking better care of her hair.

“I really value my hair now because I don’t think I took it for granted before,” she says. “I just want to protect this hair really well.”

“So I’m really just using good things for my hair that I feel like really represent me, making sure it’s moisturized and not gonna break off because I don’t want my hair to fall out again. That was traumatic,” she says with a laugh.

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That’s why Strahan has teamed up with FAST Haircarebecoming the new brand ambassador. Short for “Fortified Amino Scalp Therapy,” the collection includes a shampoo, conditioner, invigorating extract and detangling styling cream.

The hair growth line is a “powerhouse” backed by research from University of Toronto scientists, says the CEO Carolyn Aronsonwho points out the combination of amino acids, vitamins and herbal extracts in its products.

“It’s about creating healthy hair. That’s really been our mantra. Healthy hair behaves better. So I’ve always believed in products that don’t make your hair dry, crunchy, or weighed down,” Aronson tells PEOPLE. “We’re really making a difference in the quality of the hair and bringing it to new levels, growing hair up to 99% faster.”

“I felt that it was a great way to make a big impact within the haircare world. And it’s really a form of giving back. Empower someone to get through some of their haircare woes,” she continues. “Our hair is our crown. So when our crown is a little off, we feel off, right? So there’s power in beauty.”

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And Aronson, who’s known Strahan since before her cancer diagnosis, says working with the model in this next chapter has been such an “organic fit.”

“I think her strength, her bravery, the way she was really sharing her journey with everyone. I was so impressed by her,” she says. “So that was really a big part of why I thought she would be an amazing partner to this company because it too is about fighting and really empowering you to take control of what you’re going through and actually being able to fight back a little bit, which is great.”

“And it’s not even just about people who have lost their hair, it’s about people who just want to grow their hair longer,” Aronson adds. “I think that people of all walks of life can relate to her.”

As Strahan continues to embrace her shorter curls, she’ll incorporate the detangling cream into her haircare routine while continuing to use the invigorating extract. “I love it, my hair just feels so clean — and I actually feel like I’m taking care of myself.”

Read the original article on People