FAQs
WHAT IS JAGUA?
WHAT IS CARUTO / HUITO / JENIPAPO / GENIPA / GENIPAP / CHIPARA / MARMALADE BOX / GUANAPAY / CARARUTOTO?
WHAT IS GENIPA AMERICANA?
WHERE DOES JAGUA COME FROM?
IS JAGUA SAFE?
WHAT IS PPD?
WHAT IS BLACK HENNA?
IS THERE A SAFE ALTERNATIVE?
HOW CAN I TELL IF SOMEONE IS USING JAGUA OR PPD?
CAN I HAVE A JAGUA TATTOO IF I AM PREGNANT?
CAN MY CHILDREN HAVE JAGUA TATTOOS?
CAN I DO IT MYSELF?
HOW DOES A JAGUA TATTOO WORK?
HOW LONG DOES A JAGUA TATTOO TAKE TO DRY?
WHAT COLOUR IS A JAGUA TATTOO?
HOW LONG DOES A JAGUA TATTOO TAKE TO DEVELOP?
HOW LONG DOES A JAGUA TATTOO LAST?
WHERE CAN I GET A JAGUA TATTOO PROFESSIONALLY?
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO GET A PROFESSIONAL HENNA TATTOO DONE?
WHAT IS JAGUA?
Jagua is one of the most popular local names for the fruit of the Genipa Americana Tree. It is one of the names
used by the local and indigenous peoples of Panama, Columbia and Peru. The juice from this fruit contains a safe &
natural black dye that stains the skin (amongst other things!), in a similar way to natural henna.
Click Here for further information about the History of Jagua
WHAT IS CARUTO / HUITO / JENIPAPO / GENIPA / GENIPAP / CHIPARA / MARMALADE BOX / GUANAPAY / CARARUTOTO?
These are all traditional local names for Genipa Americana, used by some of the many different local and
indigenous peoples of Central and South America.
WHAT IS GENIPA AMERICANA?
Genipa Americana is the Latin name allocated for the Species Classification.
Click Here for further information about Genipa Americana.
WHERE DOES JAGUA COME FROM?
The natural dye is found in the Jagua fruit, which grows on trees throughout tropical and sub tropical regions of
South & Central America.
Click Here for further information about Jagua Geographical Roots
Click Here for further information about the History of Jagua.
Click Here for our Jagua Safety Statement.;
WHAT IS PPD?
PPD is a commonly used abbreviation for the man made chemical dye known as p-Phenyldiamine, p-Phenylenedimine,
paraPhenyldiamine & paraPhenylenedimine. This dye does in fact stain the skin black. However it is very dangerous
and illegal to use in any country where such safety legislation regarding cosmetic ingredients exists. It is strictly
forbidden for use on the skin under European Cosmetic (Safety) Regulations. It is also forbidden for use on the
skin by the FDA, in the USA.
Click Here for further information about PPD.
WHAT IS BLACK HENNA?
There is no such thing as Black Henna. Henna is a natural dye that stains the skin various shades of oranges,
through browns & burgundies. There are traditional darkening methods used in North Africa and the Middle East to
turn henna black. These methods usually include ammonia, which will darken the shade of henna, sometimes a black
colour can even be achieved, but the techniques only have an effect on henna stains on the palms of the hands and
the soles of the feet. However it is not recommended as it isn’t a very nice substance to go putting on your skin,
it smells awful and its results are limited (i.e. only parts of the hands & feet) and unreliable at best.
Unfortunately, there are still some irresponsible people out there who claim to sell ‘Black Henna’ Products &/or
Body Art service. They are in fact selling &/or using products that contain PPD. This is Illegal, Immoral and
Dangerous. Do not buy into this myth.
Click Here for further information about PPD.
IS THERE A SAFE ALTERNATIVE TO BLACK HENNA?
For the first time in the history of Western Temporary Body Art the answer is….. YES!
2006 will long be remembered by Henna Body Art Professionals & Enthusiast alike as The Year of The Jagua Tattoo.
Jagua Tattoos are safe and the dye comes from a natural plant source – a fruit from the Amazon Jungle. Jagua Tattoos
work in a very similar way to Henna Tattoos, the stain can take anywhere from 12-48 hours to develop, but instead
of orange/brown colours you get blue/black colours – just like real tattoos!
HOW CAN I TELL IF SOMEONE IS USING JAGUA OR PPD?
Unfortunately, Jagua Tattoo Gel looks very similar to PPD products when being applied through a cone or bottle.
i.e. it is a black coloured smooth gel. However Jagua Tattoo Products do have some unique characteristics that
clearly distinguish them from PPD products.
Jagua Tattoo Products have a distinctive ‘fruity’ smell.
Jagua Tattoo Products leave behind a very pale greyish stain at first – the true colour takes 12-48 hours to develop.
PPD products usually contain no fragrance at all.
PPD products leave behind a black stain instantly.
Hopefully, the newly developed Jagua Tattoo Products will soon eliminate the use of all dangerous PPD products.
Surely even the most irresponsible body artists & product suppliers who currently make their living using PPD would
rather use a safe product given the choice.
CAN I HAVE A JAGUA TATTOO IF I AM PREGNANT?
Yes, there is nothing in the safety information regarding this product range that advises against use while
pregnant. There is also no traditional information that suggests indigenous people avoid use during pregnancy.
However, if you are at all concerned please take the ingredient list along to your GP for advice.
Click Here for ingredients listings and more information about How Jagua Works.
CAN MY CHILDREN HAVE JAGUA TATTOOS?
Absolutely, these products are entirely safe for use on children and adults alike. It is very common in the Amazon
to see children and babies covered from head to toe with Jagua, as it is a good insect repellent against sand flies!
Click Here for further safety information.
CAN I DO IT MYSELF?
Yes, you can use our Jagua Tattoo Paint or Gel products yourself. If you have never done anything like this before
it is probably advisable to get one of the kits at first – because they contain all the little extras you need,
like some tattoo designs, tracing paper & a magic pencil.
Choose the paint option if you feel more comfortable with a paintbrush in your hand – e.g. if you have ever done
‘face painting’, ‘watercolour painting’ or even if you have had a go at a ‘paint by numbers’.
Choose the gel option if you feel more comfortable with a tube or application cone in your hand – e.g. if you have
ever applied ‘henna tattoos’, worked with ‘cake decorating icing’ or even if you have had a go with ‘writing icing
tubes’ from the supermarket.
Click Here for Step-by-Step photographic demonstrations of How To Use Jagua.
HOW DOES A JAGUA TATTOO WORK?
Jagua Tattoos work in a very similar way to Henna Tattoos, staining the epidermis (upper layer of your skin). The
Jagua Tattoo gets darker over the next two days, and then just like henna, it gradually fades away as your body
regenerates its epidermis.
Click Here for further information about how Jagua works.
HOW LONG DOES A JAGUA TATTOO TAKE TO DRY?
Jagua Tattoo Paint takes 10 – 30 minutes to dry
Jagua Tattoo gel takes 30 minutes – 2 hours to dry.
Exact drying time depends upon several variables, such as: Ambient Air Temperature, Body Temperature, Size of design,
Type of Design
Both products need to stay on the skin for 2 hours to work effectively.
Click Here for further aftercare information.
WHAT COLOUR IS A JAGUA TATTOO?
Jagua Tattoos turn out a ‘Tattoo Black’ colour, towards the blue end of the black spectrum. Like henna, the
specific colour achieved varies from person to person according to variables such as, skin type, skin condition,
body location and lifestyle.
Click Here for further information about how Jagua works.
HOW LONG DOES A JAGUA TATTOO TAKE TO DEVELOP?
Jagua Tattoos reach their best colour 12-48 hours after application, this varies according to skin type. So if you
want your Jagua Tattoo for going out on Friday Night, then we recommend you apply the product on Wednesday, just
in case you are a two-day developer.
Click Here for further information about how Jagua works.
HOW LONG DOES A JAGUA TATTOO LAST?
Jagua Tattoos last between 10-15 days looking a good, strong colour. The tattoos can take a further 7 days to
completely fade away and disappear, just like a Henna Tattoo, but your body completely replaces its epidermis
every 21-28 days so your Jagua Tattoo will be completely gone by then.
Click Here for further information about how Jagua works.
WHERE CAN I GET A JAGUA TATTOO PROFESSIONALLY?
Eventually everywhere that offers Henna Tattoos will most probably offer Jagua Tattoos. Please check with your
regular Henna Tattoo place – whether it’s a Beauty Salon or a Tattoo Parlour… they may thank you for it if they
have not yet heard of our products.
Coming soon: The Jagua Tattoo Artist Directory
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO GET A PROFESSIONAL HENNA TATTOO DONE?
The price varies from place to place, and of course from artist to artist, but as a general guide:
Small Jagua Tattoo, e.g. Japanese character usually costs £5 – £7 (€7 – €10 or $10 – $13)
Medium Jagua Tattoo, e.g. Tribal Armband usually costs £12 – £17 (€20 – €25 or $25 – $30)
Large Jagua Tattoo, e.g. Big Upper Arm Piece usually costs £30 – £35 (€45 – €50 or $55 – $60)
For larger designs and traditional Bridal Artwork Henna Artists usually charge by the hour or by the day, prices
include product used. Again, prices vary from place to place & artist to artist, but as a general guide:
An average hourly rate charged is £40 (€60 or $75)
An average daily rate charged is £250 (€375 or $475)
