Why we created our own tattoo aftercare product line…

Locally made here in Austin, Texas - small batch, clean ingredients - nothing extra.

Getting a great tattoo doesn't end when you leave the studio.

Every tattoo we create is designed to last a lifetime, but the way it heals during those first few weeks has a lasting impact on how it looks for years to come. The care you give your skin after your appointment plays an important role in protecting your investment and helping your tattoo heal comfortably.

Over the years we've recommended as simple of aftercare products to our clients as possible telling them to avoid petroleum products if they can. Some worked well, but simply weren't designed with freshly tattooed skin in mind.

Eventually, we decided to stop searching for the right product and create it ourselves the right way. Focusing on natural ingredients, working with a small family run cosmetic manufacturer with safety in mind.

Built From More Than Twenty Years of Tattooing Experience

Black Swan Tattoo Aftercare wasn't developed in a marketing office or by a cosmetics company trying to enter the tattoo industry.

It was created by our owner and artist, Jason Metka, after more than two decades of tattooing thousands of clients and seeing firsthand how different aftercare products affected the healing process.

The goal was never to make "just another tattoo balm."

The goal was to create a simple collection of products made with thoughtfully selected ingredients that support the body's natural healing process without relying on petroleum, parabens, synthetic preservatives, or unnecessary fillers.

Everything in the line is made using food-grade (FCC/USP) ingredients and developed with the same philosophy we bring into every tattoo we create—keep it clean, intentional, and built to perform.

Clean Ingredients. Simple Formulas.

Fresh tattoos deserve products that support healing without overwhelming the skin.

Our formulas are:

• Petroleum-free

• Paraben-free

• Made without synthetic preservatives

• Free from GMOs, phenoxyethanol, propylene glycol, and unnecessary additives

• Never tested on animals

• Made with biodegradable ingredients

Sometimes what isn't in a product matters just as much as what is.

Instead of creating long ingredient lists filled with cheap fillers, we focused on a handful of quality ingredients that moisturize, protect, and help maintain a comfortable healing environment for freshly tattooed skin.

A Complete Tattoo Aftercare System

Rather than relying on one product to do everything, we designed three products that work together throughout the healing process.

Healing Balm

The Healing Balm is our richest formula and is ideal during the earliest stage of healing.

Its’ thicker consistency helps protect freshly tattooed skin while providing lightweight moisture without the heavy petroleum feel found in many traditional products. It can also be used during tattoo procedures and anywhere dry or damaged skin needs additional support.

Soothing Salve

Once the initial healing phase has passed, our Soothing Salve becomes the daily workhorse.

It absorbs quickly, leaves skin feeling comfortable instead of greasy, and helps keep tattoos hydrated while allowing your skin to breathe. Many of our clients continue using it long after their tattoos have healed to keep older work looking vibrant.

Cream Cleanser

Healing starts with keeping your tattoo clean.

Our unscented Cream Cleanser gently removes dirt and excess oils without stripping away your skin's natural moisture. Unlike many traditional soaps, it's designed to leave skin feeling clean, balanced, and comfortable rather than dry and tight.

Together, the three products create a straightforward aftercare routine that keeps tattoo healing simple.

Trusted By Our Clients

Since introducing Black Swan Tattoo Aftercare, we've been grateful to hear from clients both here in Austin and across the country who have shared their healing experiences.

Many mention how comfortable the products feel, how little product is needed with each application, and how much they appreciate formulas that aren't overly greasy or heavily scented. Others tell us they've continued using the products well beyond the healing process because they simply like how their skin feels every day. These reviews have reinforced exactly why we created the line in the first place—to make aftercare that people actually enjoy using while helping protect the artwork they invested in.

The Same Philosophy We Tattoo With

At Black Swan Tattoo Company, every tattoo is approached with patience, craftsmanship, and attention to detail.

Our aftercare products follow that exact same philosophy.

They're not designed to replace proper aftercare instructions or promise miracle results. They're simply made to support healthy healing with carefully chosen ingredients created by someone who has spent decades watching tattoos heal in the real world.

If you've trusted us with your tattoo, you can trust the products we developed to help care for it afterward.

Whether you're leaving the studio after another session, or looking for better everyday care for tattoos you've had for years, we're proud to offer an aftercare line that's made locally here in Austin and built by the same artist who created your tattoo.

Your tattoo is an investment, taking care of it shouldn't be an afterthought with lotion you picked up full of unknown irritants.

Visit Black Swan Tattoo Aftercare to learn more about our Healing Balm, Soothing Salve, Cream Cleanser, and complete Aftercare Trio, and discover why so many clients have made them part of their tattoo routine.