Original Tattoo Balm 75g
D-panthenol-rich. Seals and protects ink, moisturises skin, prevents colour-fade. The brand's bestseller and the most-recommended product on the shelf.
Dr Pickles review — Glow Score 9.4/10, updated June 2026
The verdict.
Dr Pickles is the Australian tattoo aftercare brand whose Original Tattoo Balm is the most-recommended product in Aussie tattoo studios. Glow Score 9.4/10 — top of the Glow Tattoo Aftercare Brand Index. Best first product: Original Tattoo Balm 75g at $24.99 — at Coles and Woolworths.
DrPickles®
Australia's most-recognised tattoo aftercare. Built around the 30-day healing journey — Foam Wash, Soothe Gel, and Tattoo Balm.
The Original Tattoo Balm is the bestseller. The Studio Starter Kit is the complete entry. Proudly Australian made.
The brand that mapped the 30-day tattoo timeline.
Dr Pickles is Australia's most-stocked tattoo aftercare brand. The proposition is unusual for the category: not a single hero product, but a routine — a sequence of three products mapped to the healing timeline of a fresh tattoo.
Day zero through three: Foam Wash. Day three through seven: Soothe Gel. Day seven onwards: Tattoo Balm. The brand's signature campaign tracks the healing of a real tattoo across thirty days. The product matches the day. Australian tattoo studios have stocked the range for years; the consumer side now sells through Coles and Woolworths.
The mascot — Pickleman, a green pickle in a doctor's coat — is the second most-recognised brand asset. The product packaging is deep green, white-labelled, and unmistakable.
Why Australian tattoo studios stock it.
Tattoo balms are a low-trust category online — too many ingredient stories, too few consistent results. Dr Pickles works because the brand sat behind the chair first. Studios recommend it. Aftercare instructions reference it. The consumer side followed.
The three to know.
Soothe Gel 75g
Light dermal gel for the weeping stage of healing. Also doubles for laser aftercare, skin irritations, and sun damage.
Deluxe Foam Wash 200mL
Natural antiseptic foam wash. Used day zero through three. The first product in the healing routine.
If you like Dr Pickles.
Hustle Butter
US-founded. Vegan. Pre-tattoo and aftercare.
Mad Rabbit
Faster-growing US brand. Strong on aged-tattoo brightening.
Stories & Ink
UK brand. Pharmacy-coded. Available at MECCA.
After Inked
Studio-standard moisturiser since 2010. Vegan.
The Honest Company
Generic moisturisers many studios still recommend.
Bepanthen
Pharmacy default. Same D-panthenol active.
Dr Pickles is the rare aftercare brand where the product, the packaging, and the studio recommendation all agree. Start with the Original Tattoo Balm if you're treating a fresh tattoo. Get the Studio Starter Kit if you want the full 30-day routine. If you'd rather pay pharmacy prices, Bepanthen contains the same active.
A few common questions.
Is Dr Pickles worth it?
Yes for new and aged tattoos. The Original Tattoo Balm is the most-recommended aftercare product in Australian tattoo studios. Start there if you're healing a fresh piece.
What is Dr Pickles best known for?
The Original Tattoo Balm 75g — D-panthenol-rich, used to heal fresh tattoos and revive aged ones. The Pickleman mascot is the brand's other signature.
Where do you start with Dr Pickles?
The Studio Starter Kit. It contains Foam Wash, Soothe Gel, and Tattoo Balm — covering the full 30-day healing journey in one bundle.
Is Dr Pickles Australian?
Yes. Proudly Australian made and owned. Positioned as Australia's number-one tattoo aftercare specialist.
How does the 30-day healing routine work?
Day 0-3: Foam Wash. Day 3-7: Soothe Gel once the area dries. Day 7+: Original Tattoo Balm. Natural Balm goes on standby for long-term skin maintenance.
Where do you buy Dr Pickles in Australia?
At Coles and Woolworths.
Reviewed by The Glow Editorial Team · 30 May 2026 · Last verified at retail
The verdict.
Dr Pickles is Australia's most-stocked tattoo aftercare brand, recognised for the Original Tattoo Balm 75g (AUD 24.99) and the 30-day healing routine of Foam Wash → Soothe Gel → Tattoo Balm. Proudly Australian made and owned. The brand is stocked at Coles and Woolworths. Hannah Brooks's first recommendation: the Original Tattoo Balm for fresh tattoos, or the Studio Starter Kit for the complete routine.
- Founded
- Australia
- Made in
- Australia
- Category
- Tattoo aftercare
- Mascot
- Pickleman
- Best first product
- Original Tattoo Balm 75g · AUD 24.99
- Best entry bundle
- Studio Starter Kit
- Where to buy (AU)
- Coles · Woolworths
- Tested under
- The Glow Standard · Six weeks
The Glow Standard · Independent review
9.2
/ 10
The Australian tattoo aftercare default. Start with the balm.
- Formulation D-panthenol-backed actives. Clear ingredient logic across the routine. 9.0
- Studio credibility Stocked in more Australian tattoo studios than any competitor. 9.7
- Value at tier Sub-$30 entry. Competitive against pharmacy alternatives. 9.2
- AU availability Coles, Woolworths. 9.8
Products purchased at retail. No paid placement in any Glow ranking. Score reflects the methodology at glow.com.au/review-methodology.
Dr Pickles vs the closest tattoo aftercare alternatives.
How Dr Pickles sits against the global tattoo aftercare field. Updated May 2026.
| Brand | HQ | Hero product | Entry price (AUD) | Stocked in AU studios |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dr Pickles | Australia | Original Tattoo Balm 75g | $24.99 | Widely |
| Hustle Butter | New York, US | Deluxe Tattoo Care | $32 | Some |
| Mad Rabbit | Columbus, US | Tattoo Balm | $28 | Few |
| Stories & Ink | London, UK | Tattoo Care Lotion | $25 | Limited |
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