For hair:
* Locks
* Tresses
* Whisps (for thin strands)
* Hairs (plural)
* Filaments
For other contexts, such as fibers, strings, or threads:
* Threads
* Fibers
* Cords
* Lines
* Wires
* Filaments
* Tangles (for something tangled)
For a strand of something more abstract:
* Elements
* Components
* Parts
* Aspects
To choose the most appropriate synonym, consider the specific meaning of "strands" in your sentence and the overall tone you want to achieve.