Although this time of year we mostly see them carved with a candle stuck in them, pumpkins can serve a much bigger purpose. They are a good source of vitamin C and B, and are full of protective antioxidants and minerals. Aside from eating pumpkin, you can get these same health benefits by applying it to your skin and hair. Pumpkin puree is readily available year round but it’s in full force now. Below are some great ideas to incorporate pumpkin into your beauty regime. Happy Halloween!

pumpkin spice lip scrub

• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 3 tablespoons coconut oil (softened)
• 2 teaspoons pumpkin spice seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Mix all the ingredients together. Apply with fingers and massage lips, wipe or lick off (it’s delicious). Store in a small mason jar and keep refrigerated. Stir before you use it again.

pumpkin conditioning hair mask

• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/4 cup Greek yogurt (plain)
• 1 tablespoon raw honey
• 1 tablespoon mayonnaise

Whisk all the ingredients together. Apply a thick layer to all of your hair. Let it sit for 20 minutes, then rinse. Keep any remaining mask in the refrigerator in a sealed container.

pumpkin honey face mask

• 1 tablespoon pumpkin puree
• 1 tablespoon raw honey
• 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice
• Splash of olive oil

Whisk ingredients together. Apply a thin layer to your face and neck. Let it sit for 10 minutes then rinse it off. Keep remaining mask refrigerated in a sealed container. Test a small area of skin first, before applying it to your face.

Acne can hit anyone at any age. If you’re like me apparently it skips high school and waits until you’re in your 30’s.  There are so many factors that can contribute to it, big and small. We hear reasons like stress and hormonal imbalances.  This could be the case, however sometimes it’s much simpler. There are things we do every day that could be creating those nasty little bumps on our skin. Below are seven sneaky reasons you’re breaking out.

1 – Your diet

Put down the white bread and potato chips. We all know these foods are bad for our waist line but can also wreak havoc on our skin. According to an article published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology by Whitney P. Bowe MD, FAAD. Studies have shown that low-glycemic index diets may improve acne. The consumption of high-glycemic index foods (breads and cookies) appears to trigger a cascade of responses, which can lead to acne through effects on growth hormones and sex hormones.

2 – Cell phones

Our phones are filthy. They are plastered with dirt and bacteria that we cannot always see and they go a ton of places they shouldn’t.  Now, we can’t go spray our phones with Lysol. What can we do? To start, make sure you are constantly washing your hands or using antibacterial sanitizer. Since your hands are always touching your phone it’s vital that they are clean and are transferring as little germs as possible. Try not to keep your face pressed tightly against the screen since that is where the contact will mostly occur. Also remember to wipe down your screen to remove dirt. Think about investing in antibacterial wipes that are specially designed to clean electronics and do this every day.

3 – You’re washing your face too much

According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association washing your face several times a day can further irritate your skin, leading to more breakouts. Only wash your face twice a day. Wash it when you wake up to remove any oil and sweat that can accumulate while we sleep. Then wash it before bed to remove any dirt and makeup from the day. I personally like to carry cleansing facial wipes on me at all times. They are great for after the gym or other times where my face feels dirty and I can’t wash it right away.

4 – You’re popping pimples

We’ve all done it.  It is embarrassing when you have a big zit on your face, especially as an adult and it’s so easy to pop it. It may feel good but in actuality you aren’t making it any better. This does not only lead to scarring but you can possibly push the bacteria back into your skin, which could make the acne spread. Having a professional do an extraction is a whole other story. Get into a good skin routine and get regular facials to cut down on the pimples in the first place. When an extraction needs to be done, a trained esthetician is the way to go.

5  – Dirty Sheets and Pillowcases

They may not look dirty but they are. Our body pumps out tons of natural oils everyday on top of the ones we add to it like, moisturizers and hair products. When we lay at night these oils get absorbed by our bedding and can leave buildup that cannot be seen. We snuggle up every night with a bunch of dirt and oil which seeps into our pores, clogging them and causing breakouts. According to an article in US National Library of Medicine by Albert Kingman and Otto Mills Jr, this is known as acne mechanica. Acne forms due to pressure, friction, rubbing, or squeezing against something. This doesn’t only happen from our sheets but can also happen from our tight sweaty workout clothes and other daily activities where we sweat and there’s pressure, like sitting in an office chair all day. What to do differently. Make sure we wash our face before bed and remove hair products. If you do leave in overnight masks or treatments, make sure it is wrapped up or under a hair net, assuring it is off of your face and pillowcase. Also wash your sheets weekly and try to flip your pillow over in between washes.

6 – It’s your hair products

According to the American Academy of Dermatology. The sulfates, heavy moisturizing agents, and silicone in your shampoo, conditioner, and other hair products can seep into our pores. This clogs them which could cause acne on our skin. If you think this may be your problem start by finding products that have less oil in them. Also if you have longer hair, try washing it by flipping it to one side while you wash it. This will keep some of the aggravating ingredients off your face. Also wash your face last. In case any of the product from washing splashes on your face, this will ensure that it’s not sitting on your face overnight.

7 – Medications

Certain medicines we are prescribed can be a leading cause to acne. Steroids and androgens are some of the types of medicines that can do this. That is because they effect hormone levels, according to Kevin Olivieri, PharmD; clinical pharmacist in Tampa, FL.  Those are the most prominent ones that contribute to acne, but so can lithium, phenytoin, isoniazid, bromides, thiourea, disulfiram and vitamin B2, 6 and 12. If you think this could be contributing to your skin problems, talk with your doctor and see what your options may be.

Traditionally a solo experience, spa trips have become a great opportunity to bond. At Essentials MediSpa, spa parties are their specialty. One of the latest trends in the bridal world is throwing a small shower at a spa. What better way to take a traditionally overbearing event and turn it into a day of fun and relaxation. Submerge your bride and her guests in a day of pampering, why not? With a more intimate setting you can focus on ensuring your close family and friends have a memorable time. Assemble little gift bags with some products or gift cards they could use that day in lieu of unoriginal party favors that no one wants. We all know we have that one drawer at home full of shower gifts and wedding favors. Put your own specialized touch on it or use one of Essentials amazing predesigned party packages and leave everything to them. They have a beautiful lounge and private lunch room that seats up to 15. They also offer weekend and evening hours to accommodate.

Having too big of a shower for the spa but still want to get the girls together? Have your bachelorette party there. Perfect for those who aren’t into the drinking scene. Planning a wedding is stressful for everyone involved. Help your bride relax and you (bridesmaids) can get something out of it too. If partying is your thing, Essentials offers wine and champagne. What else could a girl need? Start your night at the spa and get ready to head out on the town. Have a relaxing facial or massage then hit up one of their amazing stylists for makeup  and hairstyling for your big night out.

You don’t have to worry about your wedding makeup either. Essentials offers makeup and hair styling for your whole wedding party. This is a great thing to do together the day of your wedding, deepening your connection with the women in your life while keeping you calm. It’s important to get your wedding look done professionally. I’m sure we’ve all heard horror stories of someone we know doing their own bridal hair and makeup. I still have traumatic flashbacks to my prom look! Save the anxiety and look your best with the help of a professional. You’ll be going through a roller coaster of emotions and with your picture being taken a million times, you don’t want one hair out of place. Essentials has the best salon stylists who will make you look like the star you are, filling you with smiles and confidence on your special day.  They have a variety of specialists to choose from with great experience and ideas, but bring your own too! Talk with one of them today, schedule a trial run and get the dream hair you have always wanted.  Essentials also has skillful makeup artists who will work diligently with you and your ideas to give you a flawlessly beautiful look. They also offer an airbrush makeup technique to really make you feel like a celebrity.  Let’s face it, it’s your wedding day, you are one!

After your wedding, if you haven’t shuffled right off onto a plane for your honeymoon, try a couple’s day at the spa. At Essentials a romantic getaway for two awaits you. They have amazing couple’s massage and spa packages for you and your honey. It’s a great way to unwind, release any tension and shake off all that stress from the crazy amounts of time you spent planning your wedding.

The spa is an enjoyable experience alone, but also can be with the people you love. Each experience you create has endless possibilities that you can put your own personal touches on. If you have an upcoming wedding or other future events, give Essentials Medispa a call today. No party to schedule, get some loved ones together and make a date. A day at the spa is a positive and nurturing experience and that feeeling is even more present when we’re surrounded by the ones we love.

Fall is upon us and so is cold and flu season. One of the top ways to prevent getting sick is exercise. Exercise improves your overall fitness, which can help boost your immune system, the body’s defense against infections.  This can be problematic however, because the gym is a breeding ground for germs. The odds of you getting sick are stacked against you, from equipment not being properly wiped down, dirty door handles/drinking fountains and a lot of possibly sick people in close proximity.The Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine found that 63 percent of all gym equipment is contaminated with rhinovirus, which causes the common cold. The cold virus can live on hard surfaces for up to seven days. We have to work out, so what do we do? Below are 5simple steps to protect yourself at the gym this cold and flu season. Stay fit and Healthy. Here’s how.

1 – Bring your own sanitizing wipes to wipe down equipment

Most gyms offer towels and some type of cleaning spray. They may list what the ingredients are, but more often than they use unmarked bottles, which are presumably bleach and water. You can’t be sure what your using and what it is even doing to protect you. Bring your own portable, pre-moistened hand wipes. They are easy and convenient and they kill 99.99 percent of germs that cause sickness. Wipe down the equipment before you begin. Let’s face it, our gym bags are way bigger than they need to be already. We can all fit a pack of these in it. It will keep you protected from germs and from second guessing if the person before you cleaned the machine (probably not). Also wipe down the free weights and mats you use (just make sure all equipment is properly dried before you use it).

2- Bring your own washcloth to turn sink/shower handles and curtains.

You can use it to turn the shower handle, move the shower curtain and use the faucet. You may think you are in a safe zone being in a place where people clean themselves but showers are great, moist areas for germs to hang out.  Shower curtain, tiles and the shower floor can have mildew, a fungus that feeds on body oils. With public showers there is no guarantee how often or how properly they are washed. Many gyms offer their own towels or paper towels at your disposal, but they are in bins and dispensers that are touched by hundreds. Bring your own and you’ll have nothing to worry about.

3 – Consider wearing workout gloves.

They not only will keep your hands protected from picking up sneaky germs, they will also keep your skin protected from possible cuts and brush burns from pull-up bars and iron weights. Open cuts, even as small as a papercut, makes you susceptible to picking up an infection by giving the germs another place to go. Wash them, like you would wash your workout clothes. Remember to becareful to not touch your face. Your hands are being kept clean, the outside of your gloves are not. Your nose, eyes and mouth  are the easiest place for germs to ebter. So keep your hands away from your face.

4 – Wear shoes at all times

This includes when you are in the shower and walking across the locker room floor. Aside from possibly picking up cold germs, you could contract athlete’s foot and other viruses. Floors are generally warm and wet from people walking out of the showers, pool or sauna. A gross combination that leads to the development of viruses and fungi. If you use a gym pool invest in some water shoes. For walking around the shower and locker room get an easy slip-on shoe, like a flip flop. This way your feet are protected on the bottom but open on the top so you can get your feet completely clean.

5) Shower Immediately

This is something we are all guilty of. Whether we’re chatting or going for a post-workout smoothie, we still want to show off our cute workout clothes, right? Problem is washing our hands and wiping down the equipment doesn’t always wipe away all the germs you encounter. It is hard to avoid touching things or using the floor and mats for our routines. A hot shower will wash away all sweat, dirt and germs.