Earth Jagua FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions About Jagua and Jagua Tattoos

Here are some answers to the most common inquiries from customers regarding our jagua temporary tattoo products.

Q. Is jagua the same as black henna?

A. Jagua is a fruit that grows in the Amazon. Black henna doesn’t grow anywhere! Simply put, it does not exist. The stuff on the market called “black henna” is a synthetic compound containing industrial dyes (like PPD), inks, or chemicals—all of them potentially harmful to the skin. We strongly recommend that you stay away from so-called black henna mixtures.

Q. How does jagua work to stain the skin?

A. The juice of the jagua fruit is a blue-black color; it works just like a natural dye. Jagua juice is the base of our Earth Jagua® Gel. It is applied on the skin, and must be left on for two hours to get the optimal stain. Peel off the dried jagua gel and wait 48 hours for the color to fully develop. Stain will appear very light at first, but this is normal!

Q. Does the stain disappear completely?

A. Yes. It gets lighter as skin exfoliates, and eventually disappears completely.

Q. Does it hurt to get a jagua tattoo?

A. No. The skin is never pierced and it does not hurt. It is applied on top of the skin, just like henna.

Q. If I keep the gel on my skin longer than two hours, will I get a darker stain?

A. Two hours is sufficient to obtain the darkest color. Leaving it on longer will not yield a darker or longer-lasting stain.

Q. Are there any side effects to using jagua?

A. No. But do bear in mind that jagua is a fruit. People with fruit sensitivities (and everyone else) should do a small patch test before attempting a full-size tattoo.

Q. Aside from the color, how is jagua different from henna?

A. The two are different in that…

• Jagua does not need to stay on the skin as long as henna; 2 hours is sufficient.
• Jagua gel takes a little longer to dry than henna.
• Jagua is a fruit. Henna is a plant.
• Jagua grows in tropical climates; henna grows in the desert.

Q. How long does the jagua gel stay fresh once you open the bottle?

A. 2–3 months, if refrigerated.

Q. Do jagua tattoos show up on dark skin?

A. Yes.

Q. Can I use it anywhere on my body?

A. Yes—just keep it out of your eyes.

Q. Do some areas of the body stain better than others?

A. As with henna, the stain is darkest on the hands and feet.

Q. Once my jagua tattoo starts fading, is there any way to restore it to its original color?

A. Yes. Simply retrace over the design with more gel.

Q. Does jagua permanently stain fabric, wood, and other porous surfaces the way henna does?

A. No. But it does stain the skin very quickly! If you get jagua on your hands during application, wash it off immediately, if not sooner!

Q. If I want to remove a jagua tattoo, what should I do?

A. There is no quick fix. You may rub the area gently with soap and a washcloth, or use baby oil to lessen the staining effect; but it will still take a few days to disappear completely.

Q. What can I do to help my tattoo last longer?

A. Avoid chlorinated pools and soaking in hot tubs. It may be useful to apply a layer of petroleum jelly to the tattoo before swimming or showering.

Q. Is it safe for pregnant women and children to use jagua?

A. Yes.

Q. Do I have to be an artist to work with jagua?

A. It helps if you know how to draw. However, if you can’t draw even a crooked line, our kits come with stencil transfers that make it easy enough for a 10-year-old to make beautiful tattoos.

Q. Do you have any special tips when working with jagua?

A. FIRST NIGHT ONLY: Wrap design with bathroom tissue and tape to avoid staining other areas of the body that the tattoo may come in contact with, like your face (!) and bedsheets.

To learn more, please visit our Jagua Info page.