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Jagua, what?

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 Jagua first off is NOT black henna!  Jagua is 100% natural and is a fruit-based “ink” it gives the look of a real tattoo- so if you don’t want a real one or you want to test out a temporary one before you permanently ink your body! 
 
It can also just be a fun way to change things up instead of using traditional henna, though there are some things you do need to know – since they are not the same product! 
 
Where does Jagua come from? 
Jagua is a tattoo product that is obtained from the juice that is extracted from the Genipa Americana fruit. The Genipa Americana fruit tree actually grows in South America and has served several South Americans native groups as a natural decorating tool that also helps prevent bites from mosquitos. The Genipa Americana belongs to the Genipa species which can be found in the Caribbean, northern South America, and southern Mexico. It grows in rainforests and is commonly known as Huito. Did you know that the Jagua fruit has a high nutritional value with several essential vitamins such as phosphorus, calcium, and vitamin B? Also, the indigenous people of the rainforest use the Jagua fruit as a medicine because it is believed to contain antibiotic properties. Despite the various uses of the fruit, Jagua is mainly harvested for its dyeing properties. The stains from a Jagua tattoo has a deep blue-black color which is similar to the tattoos done with a needle and ink.

 

During the preparation of Jagua, the fruit is picked when it’s unripe (the color is green), then it’s peeled and the juice is extracted from it. Info sourced from Fresh Jagua. 

Jagua Aftercare
 
  1. Once Jagua is applied let it sit on the skin for 3-4 hours.
  2.  Wash the jagua with warm water and soap.
  3. You will see that there is no design, DO NOT PANIC! ( Jagua take 12-48 hours from when it begins to stain until it peaks it stain) 
  4. DO NOT SLEEP WITH JAGUA ON! ( it re-prints very easy) 

Jagua Tips and Tricks

  • You can use a skin-safe or non- toxic pen to draw out a design before “inking” it 
  • Jagua has a gel-like consistency and is different from henna 
  • When you make a mistake, even if you wipe it right away – it usually still stains.
  • If you are done your design and accidentally smear it – it’s better to wash it off earlier than the 3-hour time frame. 
  • Jagua dries on the skin and will turn a slightly darker color when it dries. 
  • Try to avoid picking at the dried Jagua, as it will most likely stain the fingers that you used to pick at it with 

I learnt a lot of these things the hard way like – by waking up with Jagua on my face! If you have any questions do not hesitate to reach out! 

And don’t worry,  it’s temporary – also a good prank! Just saying… have fun and be sure to tag us in your doodles! @the.henna.doodler 

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Henna and Jagua Aftercare Instructions

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Henna aftercare instructions

After the henna paste is removed, the henna stain will darken over the next 48 hours. To help the henna stain reach its maximum color and longevity, it is important to follow certain aftercare instructions.

  1. Clean the area, so there is no extra oil, or creams this may affect the stain.
  2. Avoid getting the henna area wet for the first 24 hours to allow the henna to set and darken properly. Do not wash the henna off, simply crumble it off.
  3. The longer you keep the paste on, the darker it will get. If you can sleep with it overnight, this will result in a very bold dark stain.
  4. OPTIONAL: Use a lemon sugar ( 1:1 ratio) mix to seal the design, this “reactivates” the paste, sticks the paste to the skin, and allows it to stain darker. This step can get sticky.
  5. Henna crumbles can get messy! If you prefer, wrap the area with toilet paper and then wear a loose sock over the top of it. Avoid using bags and Saran wrap because if it gets sweaty the moisture will smudge your design.
  6. After the henna is crumbled, apply a natural oil like coconut oil, almond oil, or olive oil to the henna area. This will help to keep the henna moist and help the henna stain to last longer and get darker.
  7. Avoid scratching or rubbing the henna area as this can cause the henna stain to fade prematurely.
  8. Avoid using any soaps or lotions on the henna area for at least the first 24 hours.

Jagua aftercare instructions

Jagua is different then henna and has very different aftercare instructions. If you haven’t used Jagua before it is best to do a test spot first. Jagua can last 1-2 weeks.

  1. Clean the area, so there is no extra oil, or creams this may affect the stain.
  2. Once the Gel is applied to the skin, allow the Jagua design to dry, and keep it on for at least 3-4 hours. Do not touch the Jagua design once applied. Try not to stretch or push the skin together & make sure not to touch the tattoo on any other part of the body.
  3. Was the gel away, use room-temperature water and mild soap. The best way to remove the dried Jagua gel is with the fingertips.
  4. Ensure to only dry the stain by dabbing it gently with a cloth. If you rub the design at this early stage, it might begin to fade more quickly.
  5. To be on the safe side, wear loose clothing or a sock on the designed area for the first night, since the stain is still developing and we don’t want that reprinted on any other body part (especially your face!)

Following these simple aftercare instructions should help you to achieve a beautiful and long-lasting henna stain. Enjoy your henna design!

Have fun, and be creative, after all, it’s only temporary.

Trick: you a white gel pen to draw your design first then trace over it with henna or jagua, it will not affect the stain!

Henna reactions

Dangers of Black Henna (store bought henna)

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It’s not natural. It’s not good for you and I’m going to show you, and explain why.

So, let’s also clear this up – it’s not just black henna that is harmful, there are also other Henna Cones in the market that are unsafe. By unsafe I’m talking about toxic chemicals known as paraphenylenediamine (PPD). 

GRAPHIC IMAGES
This 11-year-old girl and her mom got her henna done ( using a PPD cone) and this are the reactions! You can read the full article here. 

How to identify dangerous henna
(Black Henna and Henna with Chemicals) 

Here are some indicators that the henna you bought or saw is unsafe:The Dangers of Imitation 'Henna'

  1. It’s black or red
  2. It states it’s instant
  3. It is stored on a shelf
  4. It comes from a very far away county
  5. It’s wrapped commercially
  6. It says “instant or emergency”
  7. Sometimes they are also labelled organic or natural but YOU MUST read the ingredients (I’ll talk about this later) 

 

Look for Natural Henna 

Natural Henna Cones

Natural Henna cones are hand-rolled, (like the image shown) they may be printed cellophane, or plain, & may have the artists information on it! You can purchase these natural henna cones in my store! 

Signs of a Natural Henna Cone

Look at the ingredients, if they are listed. Natural henna contains ONLY 4-5 ingredients. It’s important to read or ask the artist. This is the list of Natural Ingredients: 

  1. Natural henna powder
  2. Sugar
  3. Essential oil
  4. Water or lemon juice

These are the most common ones, if you don’t know what is listed it’s likely to be unsafe!

Harmful reactions Black Henna (chemical cones) can cause!

Here is what using a chemical infused cone can do to you:

  • May cause burns
  • Scaring
  • It peels when it starts coming off
  • It feels tingly or burning while it’s on
  • It smells horrible

NOTE: DO NOT use these cones even to practise, the fumes are also very harmful.

This is a very serious problem, chemical cones are illegal in Canada however they are still used very often.

Questions you can ask the artist

Ask the artist or look at the cone in the store to determine whether it is safe or not:

  • is it natural
  • Do you make the henna yourself
  • What type of oil do you use (clove oil is NOT ok, it may burn the skin as well)
  • Is it stored in the freezer ( this is the only way henna won’t perish, think of it like this, it has natural ingredients and just like food it can go bad – henna last 30 days in the fridge and up to 12 months in the freezer) 

It’s also important to be observant if you see the cone does not look natural, it’s always best to stay away.

Sometimes these “unsafe cones” say they are organic/natural, so be careful!

If you have any questions about henna cones feel free to reach out to me at [email protected] 

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The Story of The Henna Doodler

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The story of @the.henna.doodler … it all started in math class, on the side of my silver coil notebook, actually on the side of every single paper I was supposed to be studying on…. a straight C student, that never bothered me. But I was a straight-A student in art. Anyways, as time went on my family called me artsy-fartsy.

Cool. I went to Wedding mehndi parties and back in my day they had a basket of #hennacones and they would give you henna on your way out to do your own, only sometimes did they hire a henna artist to actually apply for the guests. That was always the moment I waited for. And the rest of the time was history.

Time went on I continued to doodle on math book covers, in sketchbooks, on my clothes, really anywhere. I joined a local #hennaartist and as she would apply henna for the bride I would doodle all over the guests… About 6 months ago I had to stop working due to health reasons and was told to look for a desk job. But I was so done with the 9-5, I would often fall asleep at my desk and it just wasn’t my scene.

Anyways, about 2 months ago I decided to go all out, make this my path, make it my career, cause it made me happy, I want to wake up in the morning, I don’t spend time wishing to have what others have, I spend time getting inspired by others. I am finally following my dream, with the support of my family and friends (especially the Dhaney)but mostly cause I’m done building someone else’s dream! Follow me, but don’t forget to follow your dreams. Stop doing what doesn’t make you happy.