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About Jagua

What is Jagua?
Jagua is made from the juice of the Genipa Americana fruit tree. The fruit tree grows in South America and has been used by South American native groups for thousands of years to naturally decorate the body and to prevent bug and mosquito bites.

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The fruit is picked while it is green (unripe), peeled and pressed for the juice. This juice is mixed into a gel and applied to the body in bold patterns. The jagua gel  is removed after 2 hours and there is a faint light grey mark. Over the next 24 hours the stain reacts with the amino acids and protein of the skin and darkens to a rich deep blue. The stains last 7-10 days or so and fade as your skin naturallly exfoliates.

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How Long Does Jagua Stain Last?

  • Generally 7-10 days but can last up to 3-4 weeks on the body

  • Different skin shades, chemistry and lifestyle all affect the final outcome

  • Frequent swimming, bathing, and the rubbing of clothing will cause the stain to fade more quickly

  • Stains are darker on the thicker skinned areas like hands and feet. Stains last longest on the body, torso, arms and legs.

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Aftercare of Jagua Body Art

  • Avoid exposing the freshly stained Jagua Body art to heat for the first 48 hours, heat can trigger a reaction in some individuals. 

  • Clothing and shoes rubbing on the design may cause it to fade more quickly

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Jagua, is it safe? 
Jagua is made from a plant, just like henna. In fact it works in much the same way as henna!

The Jagua fruit juice has been safely used by Native Amazon tribes for thousands of years but it's very new for the world market. It is part beauty treatment, part medicine, part food.

 

Allergies are always a possiblity with any item. If you are allergic to pineapple, strawberries or other tropical fruits, we'd suggest avoiding Jagua. The juice is made from unripe fruit and those plant enzymes can be strong. Patch tests are recommended for sensitive individuals. Consult your physician if you have concerns.

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Avoid exposing the freshly stained Jagua Body art to heat for the first 48 hours, heat can trigger a reaction in some individuals. 

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Black Henna, Chemical Cones, Jagua - how do we know what's safe or dangerous?
Safety should always be our first concern when applying any product to the body! There's certainly lots of dangerous, adulterated, chemical products on the market being sold as colored henna, emergency henna or fake black henna products. How do we learn what's safe and what's not?

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Chemical Henna / Emergency Henna / Black Henna

  • Smells BAD, like the chemicals that are used to make it (kerosene, turpentine, fuel)

  • Stain Immediately. This is the biggest way to determine if you're using a natural vegetable dye like Henna or Jagua or have an unsafe chemically adulterated product.

  • Jagua and Henna will leave a light stain when the paste is removed, and darken during the day

  • Chemical Products will leave a dark stain on the skin right away. AVOID any product that stains dark immediately.

  • Chemical Products may be stored long term at room temperature. Natural henna and jagua vegetable dyes are perishable and should be stored in the freezer and only defrosted for use that day.

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