The rolling hills and honey-colored stone villages of the Cotswolds have long captivated visitors, but lately, this picturesque English countryside has become the ultimate celebrity escape. From Khloé Kardashian’s social media posts showcasing Estelle Manor’s charm to Ellen DeGeneres and wife Portia de Rossi recently listing their Kitesbridge Farm estate for $30 million, Americans are flocking to this idyllic destination. But beyond the Instagram-worthy villages, farm-to-table dining, and that liberating feeling of a getaway, the Cotswolds offers something unexpected for the summer-weary: exceptional hair recovery treatments.
The Summer Hair Damage Dilemma
Summer may bring sun-kissed memories, but it leaves our hair telling a different story. The season’s triple threat of UV rays, chlorine, and saltwater creates a perfect storm of damage that goes far deeper than surface-level dryness.
“After a summer of sun, salt and chlorine, your hair and your scalp can feel parched and stressed. Much like your skin, your scalp suffers from exposure, often resulting in dryness, sensitivity and an overall lack of vitality. That’s why our first step is always to care for the scalp,” explains Nataša Brajović, hairdresser at Andrew Jose in London.
The science behind summer hair damage is sobering. Prolonged exposure to the sun’s UVA and UVB rays damages the hair cuticle, transforming shiny, lustrous locks into dull, brittle strands. For those with color-treated hair, the damage accelerates even faster. UV rays fade hair color extremely quickly and makes the hair feel straw-like.
While at-home treatments can help, the damage often runs deeper than surface conditioning can address. Brett MacDonald, director at CULt. Hairdressing in London, draws from his Australian upbringing to offer practical advice. “To prevent hair damage, use a sunscreen on hair just like you would skin and wear a hat. However, if damage has already been done, then weekly deep conditioning treatments are best to help the hair. It’s best to leave the mask in for 4-6 hours to soften the hair or to use leave-in conditioners if you are at a beach,” he adds.
Brajović also recommends a technique called “dusting” to maintain length while eliminating split ends. “This involves trimming only the very tips of the hair, removing damage without altering the overall shape or length. For most hair types, a dusting every 6-8 weeks keeps ends fresh and minimizes breakage, especially if you regularly use heat tools or spend time in the sun.”
However, when damage goes beyond what typical salon treatments can address, something more comprehensive is needed.
Indulge In A 90-Minute Hair Renaissance
Nestled in the heart of the Cotswolds, Dormy House Hotel and Spa offers something extraordinary: a 90-minute head spa treatment that goes far beyond conventional hair therapy. According to Sara Grundy, House Spa Manager, the treatment begins with a thorough scalp cleanse using Tabitha JK’s naturally derived products, removing the buildup of styling products, excess oil, and environmental pollutants that can impede healthy hair growth. Custom-blended hair masks infused with botanical extracts, antioxidants, and proteins work to replenish moisture and strengthen damaged strands. These formulations restore elasticity, repair the cuticle, and seal split ends to address the most common issues following heat or chemical exposure.
“During the Dormy Head Spa treatment, we use a number of products including a hair growth tonic based on the guest’s concerns, scalp food oil infused with himalayan salt, a choice of organic hair oils, an amber rose body oil and magnesium foot crystals,” explains Grundy in an interview.
What sets this treatment apart is its holistic approach. The inclusion of magnesium, a natural muscle relaxant essential for regulating the nervous system, helps lower cortisol levels and ease muscle tension. Combined with acupressure massage techniques that balance energy and ease stress, the treatment creates a deeply restorative experience that addresses both the physical damage to hair and the mental exhaustion that often accompanies it.
Plus, Grundy explains how the circular motion techniques used during the scalp massage increase blood circulation, reduce tension, and support lymphatic drainage which are all crucial for promoting healthy hair growth from the follicle level up.
A Lifeline for Postpartum Hair Loss
In an era where wellness tourism is thriving, Dormy House Spa represents the pinnacle of holistic hair and scalp care. Rather than offering one-size-fits-all treatments, each session is customized to individual needs, addressing specific concerns while providing the comprehensive care that summer-damaged hair desperately needs. That’s why this treatment holds particular significance for postpartum women experiencing temporary hair thinning or loss due to hormonal shifts, stress, and physical exhaustion. The combination of targeted organic products and therapeutic scalp massage promotes long-term scalp health and encourages regrowth during this vulnerable period.
For new mothers constantly on the go, the Cotswolds location isn’t coincidental. The region’s natural beauty, peaceful atmosphere, and distance from urban stress create the ideal environment for deep restoration. The spa’s serene environment immediately calms the mind and revitalizes the spirit, further aiding in the postpartum healing process.
Men, Too, Can Indulge In Hair Recovery Here
Men aren’t immune to summer hair damage either. Grundy notes that many men unknowingly carry tension in the scalp, neck, and jaw due to stress, screen time, or poor posture. The acupressure scalp massage helps ease this tension while improving blood flow to hair follicles, promoting healthy growth. The treatment’s soothing formulations rebalance the scalp, gently exfoliate buildup, and deliver deep hydration to combat dryness.
So, regardless of your gender, if you are looking to seek refuge in the English countryside and to indulge in a post-summer hair recovery, Dormy House offers both the setting and the expertise to truly reset your hair and scalp health.