JAGUA, pronounced "Hagua" is blueish dye prepared from the Genipa Americana fruit. It has been used as a body art expression by the Shipibo Tribe; the oldest ethnic group in the Peruvian Amazon jungle for over 2,500 years. It’s also commonly known as Huito.
From this unripe fruit is obtained a juice containing the Genipin substance which stains the skin with an amazing dark color.
Jagua Gel is widely used as a natural, safe tattoo ink by artists globally.
Jagua has also been used for medicinal purposes as a diuretic and an antibiotic.
source: jaguafactory.com
What's in my Jagua Cones?
Organic Genipa Americana, xanthan gum, pure lavender essential oil and water.
How do I store my Jagua Cones?
If you have not finished using the Jagua Gel, you should refrigerate it immediately. After about 4 months the Jagua Gel will lose its power to stain the skin. You may freeze it to preserve it for longer.
The shelf life of Jagua cones is 30 days at room temperature.
NEVER thaw in the microwave.
Jagua Aftercare
1. Keep your Jagua on for at least 2 hours for a dark stain. It can take up to an hour to dry, depending on thickness of the design.
2. When the dry paste comes off, it will flake off, leaving an almost invisible stain or a light grey stain. Don't panic, it's normal. It will darken over the next 12-24 hours!
3. Wash off the jagua before sleeping to avoid stain surprises in the morning. It can create quite messy stains on the skin and bed if left unwashed.
4. Avoid long exposure to the sun or heat in the first 48 hours, especially if you tend to have sensitive skin.
How long does Jagua last?
Slightly longer than henna, for as long as 2 weeks.
It will fade with the natural exfoliation of your skin and therefore, the more aftercare you put into your Jagua stain, the longer it will last. The aftercare includes avoiding baths and protecting your stain using an oil to rub into your skin.
Allergy Disclaimer
It is very important to remember that natural does not equal safe for everyone. While Jagua is generally safe, it can cause allergic reactions to you if you tend to be allergic to strawberries, pineapples or other tropical fruits. It is to be noted that this is the juice of an unripe fruit and might cause sensitivities to the skin. It would be wise therefore to do a patch test before attempting a large Jagua design!
Allergic reactions to Jagua include a dense rash of red bumps on the skin area where Jagua was applied. It can be treated as any other allergic rash with the application of an anti-rash cream. Please consult with a healthcare professional in case of allergies.
Jagua is not recommended to use on pregnant women.
WATCH How the Shipibo Uses Jagua
