Inside Medusa Holistic: A Conversation with Founder Brittany Guzman

Where intentional touch, ancient rituals, and nervous system healing meet.

Tucked away in a quiet corner of Scottsdale, Medusa Holistic is a space designed for slowing down. Soft light, intentional ritual, and a sense of calm set the tone the moment you arrive. At the heart of it all is Brittany Guzman Alcantar, a Phoenix-born holistic esthetician and licensed cosmetologist with 18 years in the beauty industry, who opened Medusa Holistic in 2023 to create something more personal than a standard studio visit. Her approach to skincare goes far beyond the surface, each treatment is custom and rooted in ancient beauty practices, natural products, and intentional touch, inviting restoration, presence, and deep nervous system ease.

Below, Brittany shares more about her philosophy, rituals, and the experiences she creates at Medusa Holistic, offering an intimate look into her journey and approach through a candid Q&A conversation.

What is your mission and vision for Medusa Holistic?

My mission at Medusa Holistic is to provide a true total-body experience, one that is grounding and revitalizing, where you feel seen and safe enough to truly relax. I use ancient beauty rituals and natural products to enhance your skin while settling your spirit.

When you come in for a holistic facial, know that it goes much deeper than skincare. It is honest healing through intentional touch and the act of holding space.

What do you want your clients to experience?

I want my clients to experience something they didn’t even know their nervous system needed. When someone comes in for the first time, I explain that everything is customized specifically for them, from setting a personal intention with sand to pulling an oracle card before the treatment.

It creates a magical atmosphere of confirmation, something you weren’t necessarily looking for, yet it deeply resonates. It grounds you in the moment and allows you to feel safe enough to receive. The glow truly comes from the body feeling at ease and trusting the process.

I love when clients tell me how much better, lighter, or softer their entire body feels after each session.

Do you offer any special events or first-time client offerings?

Something special I do for all first-time clients is gifting them a Dr. Alkaitis sample to take home. I love this line so much, and I know it works beautifully for many different skin types because it is adaptogenic. Being able to continue that feeling of healthy, supported skin at home is one of the best ways to highlight how amazing the products truly are.

Later this year, I would love to host a Gua Sha Girls’ Night using the Dr. Alkaitis stainless steel gua sha and the Organic Nourishing Treatment Oil. The oil is incredibly velvety and leaves the skin deeply hydrated. I also love how the gua sha can be used hot or cold, or even in the shower. There are so many ways to showcase its versatility.

What inspired you to create a wellness boutique?

My inspiration comes from my lived experience and is a culmination of my career in the beauty industry and my personal and spiritual journey.

I graduated from cosmetology school in 2008, and my first salon job was at an AVEDA lifestyle salon, where I practiced both styling and esthetics. During that time, I also began taking AVEDA facial training classes to continue my education, as cosmetology school offers limited esthetics training.

About 15 years ago, a training with Helga Hefner, AVEDA’s lead spa educator, planted a deep desire in me to dive further into holistic beauty and the wellness lifestyle. Everything she said resonated in a way that felt both new and deeply familiar. I remember writing in my journal that day about wanting to become an educator like her.

I later worked as a shop educator at a local Drybar in Phoenix, where I learned how to provide an elevated client experience, deepen my knowledge of ingredients and products, and refine my teaching style. Working alongside Sephora and Drybar at various events strengthened my sales and customer service skills.

My journey then shifted when I became a stay-at-home mom and adopted a vegan lifestyle. This period allowed me to be more intentional about what I was putting in and on my body, while also reconnecting with my spirituality as I stepped into a new version of myself.

A few years ago, I became a caregiver for my little sister after she was diagnosed with a rare genetic disease and could no longer care for herself. Being both a caregiver and a mom of two was one of the hardest roles I have ever held, and it ultimately led me to the idea of opening my own business.

I was overwhelmed and exhausted, and I just wanted to feel better in any way I knew how. For me, that meant small escapes, a blowout, a facial, a massage, anything grounding that allowed me to pour back into myself. I knew if I needed that, countless others did too.

My sister is the inspiration behind Medusa Holistic. I opened my business to give back to those who care for others. I know how precious self-care time is, so I wanted to incorporate everything I have learned throughout my wellness and beauty journey into an intentional client experience.

My sister passed away in early February 2025. She was my first client, and there were moments when I would watch her relax and feel her body soften. Knowing I was able to bring her peace, even briefly, fills me with gratitude. I strive to offer that same sense of peace to everyone who comes in. She is forever my inspiration.

What sets you apart?

What sets me apart is the life experience I’ve had so far. It allows me to understand clients at many different stages of life. I trust my intuition deeply and work to stay grounded so I can truly hold space for each guest, allowing them to release what they no longer need to carry.

I draw from everything I’ve learned and continue to learn, offering stillness and time to fully decompress in a nonjudgmental space that feels deeply magical in its own way.

What do you love about the Dr. Alkaitis line, and what are your favorite products?

What I love about the Dr. Alkaitis skincare line is how different it is from other clean skincare brands. The curated blends of herbs in each product are incredibly powerful, with each herb building upon the last, creating a domino effect that continues to heal the skin.

The line is gentle and natural, yet highly bioactive. The flush of healthy blood flow to the surface is proof that the herbs are working.

The cleanser leaves your skin feeling moisturized without stripping it or leaving streaks. The Organic Nourishing Treatment Oil melts into the skin, and its intoxicating scent is deeply grounding. I love that I can customize each mask with honey or yogurt based on what the client needs. Personally, I use honey tapping with the treatment mask during my facials. It’s incredibly versatile, aiding lymphatic drainage, increasing circulation, and bringing energy to the face.

Honestly, they are all my favorites, but if I had to choose, it would be the Organic Herbal Toner and the Organic Nourishing Treatment Oil. Used alone or together, they create a beautiful serum-like texture that is hydrating, anti-inflammatory, supportive of the skin barrier, and well-aging.

What can a client expect from a Dr. Alkaitis facial experience?

Clients can expect to experience the entire Dr. Alkaitis line during a holistic facial. We begin with an aromatherapy journey to help you settle in, followed by the Restoring Eye + Face Makeup Remover as a pre-cleansing oil, and then the Organic Purifying Cleanser.

I select a treatment mask tailored to your skin’s needs, mixed with local organic honey. While the mask works, I incorporate shoulder, neck, head, and body work.

I offer a wide range of ancient beauty modalities that can be integrated into your treatment, including facial reflexology, myofascial release, sculpting, targeted massage, and tools such as gua sha, Kansa wands, lymphatic brushes, and facial cupping. This is where the treatment becomes fully customized to you.

We finish with the Organic Day Cream and Organic Eye Cream, followed by one of my favorite botanical SPFs. Your session closes with seven rings of my sound bowl to seal your energy. You’ll leave glowing, with skin that feels hydrated, soft, and supple.

How often do you recommend coming in, and which facial is best?

I currently offer three facial experiences.

The first is a customized holistic facial, either 60 or 90 minutes, known as the Renew or Transform facial. The 60-minute option is ideal for first-time clients, allowing us to get to know your skin, your goals, and create a treatment plan. The 90-minute Transform facial is my most popular, as it gives extra time to fully settle in and experience deeper massage work.

The second offering is the 60-minute Pure Energy Facial Meditation. This includes 30 minutes of facial reflexology that places you into a meditative state, instantly relaxing the nervous system while supporting the entire body and organs. I stimulate electrical points across the face that correspond to different areas of the body, helping balance energy and deeply relax you. This is especially helpful if you experience pain, tension, or difficulty relaxing. I offer this facial as a monthly membership, as reflexology yields greater results over time.

The third offering is the Myofascial Facial Release Series, eight 90-minute facials designed to naturally lift the skin. This series focuses on releasing facial adhesions, relaxing tight muscles in the face and neck, and incorporating facial reflexology. It acts as a natural facelift alternative, softening movement, minimizing lines, and improving tone and firmness. This is ideal for clients ready to commit to both an at-home ritual and ongoing monthly maintenance for nervous system regulation. The results from this series have been incredible.

I generally recommend coming in every 4–6 weeks, every 4 weeks if actively clearing the skin or seeking facial reflexology for pain relief. Even when your skin looks amazing, the relaxation alone allows the body to restore in ways you may not realize you need. Reducing stress and muscle tension is a vital part of well-aging.

What inspires you right now?

What inspires me most in the holistic wellness world is seeing clients understand the importance of pouring into themselves more deeply. There are so many restorative self-care opportunities available today: sound baths, yin yoga, community hikes with intentional journaling, and clients are becoming more aware of the modalities that support their nervous systems.

People are also more conscious of the brands they support and what they put on their skin and bodies. I love seeing how clients share their experiences with friends and family; so many of my guests come from heartfelt referrals.

I’m especially excited to bring these services to more moms and men, groups that may feel these experiences aren’t for them. We all have skin, we all experience stress, and we all deserve a little extra care. I’m grateful to be part of this growing community and to continue welcoming more people into this space of beauty and wellness. It truly is for everyone.

MEDUSA HOLISTIC

8102 E McDowell Rd, Suite 2E, Scottsdale AZ, 85257