Isabela Strahan, 21, Says Fighting Brain Cancer Showed Her True Beauty Goes Beyond Her Hair: ‘It’s Growing Back & I’m Feeling More Like Myself’

Speaking exclusively to People about her new partnership and how cancer has helped her have a new sense of confidence, she explained, “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.

“So when I didn’t have it, I was like, ‘Oh no. I’m never gonna be pretty again.'”

Strahan, who lost her hair during chemotherapy, continued, “Sometimes I’m like, ugh I really took advantage of my hair. 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.”

She also observed that her hair had initially returned looking straighter and darker, but now it’s curlier and slowly lightening in color.

Strahan added, “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.

“It’s really about just feeling confident. It’s how you feel yourself and where you’re at.”

Acknowledging that she took her hair “for granted” before battling brain cancer, Strahan now says she genuinely appreciates it and is determined to “protect” it as much as possible.

She told People, “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.”

F.A.S.T. Haircare CEO and Founder Carolyn Aronson praised Strahan for representing everything the company is about, “resilience, empowerment, and the confidence that comes with embracing your journey.”

Aronson continued, “Working with Isabella is about so much more than a campaign; it’s about creating change and giving back.

“Her story embodies the miracle of resilience, and through F.A.S.T., we hope to continue helping others on their own journeys of healing and transformation.”

In the promo video for F.A.S.T Haircare, shared on Strahan’s Instagram page, Strahan showed off her thick vibrant hair, admitting that sharing her cancer journey with the public was “probably the best thing” she’s ever done.

“I got to create a community who could understand what I was feeling and going through. I’m very grateful I did share,” Strahan said in the footage.

“I kind of feel like I wish I had seen something like this through my treatment. In one year, I see myself with longer hair.”

Strahan also showcased her voluminous hair in a post celebrating her 21st birthday — a night she spent out with her friends and twin sister, Sophia.

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A post shared by Isabella Strahan (@isabellastrahan)

Isabella Strahan’s Courageous Brain Cancer Fight

Isabella Strahan documented her journey in a series of video blogs, and she finally was declared “cancer-free” after having a clear scan in July 2024, she revealed in a Vlog post.

Earlier in 2023, she revealed she was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor after experiencing harsh headaches and nausea and had trouble walking.

More specifically, she had a medulloblastoma, which is a rare primary central nervous system tumor, the National Cancer Institute explains. This type of brain tumor is cancerous and grows quickly, making it more likely to spread to other parts of the body.

She first underwent emergency surgery to remove most of the mass in her brain. Additional treatment includes radiation therapy, followed by chemotherapy, to try and get any remaining cancer cells left behind.

WATCH: Hair loss during chemo.

Strahan shared that she had a tough chemotherapy experience as she struggled with the grueling side effects of treatment.

Chemotherapy is an effective tool for oncologists to help treat cancer by stopping cancerous cells from growing, dividing, and spreading to other organs. Chemo works by traveling through the bloodstream, killing cancerous cells. However, the process also impacts healthy cells, leading to side effects.

Since reaching remission, Strahan said in one of her YouTube videos, “Ring the bell three times. It’s a toll to clearly say my treatment is done, this course is run, and I’m on my way.”

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A post shared by Isabella Strahan (@isabellastrahan)

Navigating One of the Most Emotional Steps Amid Cancer— Hair Loss

Hair loss is challenging for women and men alike, but it can be incredibly difficult for cancer patients. Losing your hair or seeing it thinning is a common side effect of some cancer treatments.

Chemotherapy can cause hair loss. It usually begins about three to four weeks after starting chemotherapy and continues throughout treatment. It occurs because this treatment targets quickly dividing cells throughout the body. That includes cancer cells but also hair cells.

“For cancer patients, losing one’s hair can be unbelievably stressful. To start with, the dread of losing one’s hair can lead to some sleepless nights and feelings of anxiety,” Dr. Samantha Boardman, a New York-based psychiatrist and author, told SurvivorNet.

WATCH: Hair loss during chemo.

To better cope with this emotional stage of the journey, Dr. Boardman suggests reaching out to other survivors who have been through a similar situation.

Radiation is another treatment that can lead to hair loss if the hair is in the path of the tumor being treated. Radiation for a brain tumor, for example, may cause hair loss.

“If you do lose hair, it will regrow several weeks or months after treatment,” radiation oncologist Dr. James Taylor told SurvivorNet. “Fortunately, for most patients, hair loss is not a concern when having radiation therapy.”

Fortunately, hair loss during cancer treatment is not all bad news. Most people can expect regrowth four to six weeks after treatment. However, when your hair grows back, you may notice some changes in its color and texture.

If losing your hair is a concern for you before cancer treatment, know you have options like wigs, hats, wraps, and scarves, among other things.

Another option that can minimize hair loss is cryotherapy, “just a fancy way for saying cold therapy,” says Dr. Renata Urban, gynecologic oncologist at the University of Washington in Seattle.

Cryotherapy involves wearing cold caps or special cooling caps before, during, and after each chemotherapy treatment.

WATCH: What is a scalp-cooling device?

The caps, which are tightly fitting and strap-on helmet-style, are filled with gel coolant chilled to negative (-15) to (-40) degrees Fahrenheit.

The caps “cause vasoconstriction, or a narrowing of the blood vessels bringing blood to the scalp,” Dr. Urban explains. By constricting the blood flow to the scalp, the caps limit the amount of circulating chemotherapy that reaches the hair follicles, protecting them from some of the chemo’s damaging effects.

The cold also decreases the activity of the hair follicles, slowing down cell division and making them less affected by chemotherapy medicine.

“This has been shown to reduce hair loss by 50 percent,” Dr. Urban says. “I do try to let patients know it’s not a 100 percent prevention strategy, and it’s not been studied in all hair types, but it is at least an available strategy for patients to try.”

Keep in mind you will be experiencing some cold temperatures. Some women find the caps give them a headache. To help withstand the chilly temps, some women will dress warmly and bring blankets.

Remember to always talk with your doctor about potential treatments to mitigate the loss and the resources you have available to handle it.

Coping With Body Changes After Cancer Treatment

Cancer survivors often struggle with the changes others can see, whether temporary of permanent, like scarring, hair loss and weight gain. However, survivors also struggle with changes that may not be as obvious, such as infertility, and these can create body image issues and make survivors feel vulnerable.

One way to prepare yourself for possible body changes during cancer treatment is to understand that changes are possible but also, frequently temporary. This can also help build up your self-confidence. Your support group, filled with loved ones, can help you during this stage of your journey as well.

In a previous interview with SurvivorNet, psychologist Dr. Marianna Strongin shared some tips cancer survivors can explore to help manage the emotional toll body changes can have during treatment.

Dr. Strongin encourages survivors to take ownership of the part (or parts) of their body impacted mainly by cancer treatment. She says although they may represent “fear and pain,” they also represent “strength and courage.”

“Research has found that when looking in the mirror, we are more likely to focus on the parts of our body we are dissatisfied with, which causes us to have a negative self-view and lower self-esteem. Therefore, I would like you first to spend time gazing at the parts of your body you love, give them time, honor them, and then thank them,” Dr. Strongin said.

SurvivorNetTV Presents “SN & You: Body Image Embracing Your Body”

Dr. Strongin then suggests looking at the part or parts of your body impacted by the cancer or cancer treatment. She recommends creating a regular practice of accepting your body image because it helps you accept your cancer journey emotionally and physically.

“As you allow yourself to spend more time looking at all of you, you will begin having a new relationship with your body. It may not happen immediately, but with time, you can begin honoring and thanking your new body,” Dr. Strongin added.

Protecting Your Inner Beauty and Self-Esteem

Dr. Strongin also previously explained to SurvivorNet, “Cancer changes who you are both physically and emotionally.” It’s important to understand that struggles with self-esteem can happen can take hold of anyone.

A study published in Frontiers in Psychology questioned how self-esteem should be considered in cancer patients. Researchers noted cancer patients’ framing of their diagnosis and how they cope with their diagnosis and subsequent treatment impacts their self-esteem throughout their cancer journeys.

“Adaptive adjustment strategies (positive reframing, use of emotional support, active coping, acceptance, and planning) in breast cancer patients were associated with high self-esteem. Social support also appears to be strongly related to self-esteem,” the study says.

If you find yourself wrestling with your emotions because of a diagnosis, remember you don’t have to go it alone. Your support group is filled with loved ones who are there to help you on your journey.

“The patient or person going through the stressful event should accept that emotions will be fluid. You may feel fine one day and then feel a massive stress wave the next. It’s also important for those you look to for support, whether that’s a therapist, friends, family, or both, to understand the fluidity of stress-related emotions,” psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik says.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

If you’re going through cancer treatment and experiencing hair loss, here are some questions you may consider asking your doctor:

• Are there any treatments to help manage or minimize my hair loss?
• What are scalp-cooling devices, and how do they work?
• Do you recommend scalp-cooling devices?
• What other options are available to help me cope with hair loss?
• Can you recommend a wig maker?
• I’m struggling mentally with my hair loss; can you recommend a therapist to talk to?
• How can I find a local support group with people going through similar things?

Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

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