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Where Is Healing Brush Photoshop 2020?

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Last updated on 4 min read

The Healing Brush Tool in Photoshop 2020 is accessed by pressing the letter "J" on your keyboard and sits in the Toolbox on the left side of the interface, right alongside the Spot Healing Brush, Patch Tool, and Content-Aware Move Tool.

How do you use the Healing brush tool in Photoshop 2020?

In Photoshop 2020, grab the Healing Brush Tool by pressing "J," then create a copy layer (Ctrl/Cmd + J). Alt-click a clean area to sample it, then paint over the imperfection on that separate layer so the fix blends naturally with the surrounding pixels.

Working on a duplicate layer keeps your original image safe and lets you toggle the fix on and off while you refine it. Honestly, this is the best approach for larger flaws the Spot Healing Brush can’t handle cleanly.

Where is the healing brush tool located?

The Healing Brush Tool lives in the Toolbox on the left side of Photoshop, grouped with the Spot Healing Brush, Patch Tool, Content-Aware Move Tool, and Red Eye Tool.

To grab it, click and hold the Spot Healing Brush icon until the flyout menu pops up, then pick the Healing Brush. Or just mash the "J" key until the Healing Brush lights up in the toolbar.

What is the difference between healing and spot healing brush?

The Healing Brush makes you Alt-click a clean spot to set your sample source, while the Spot Healing Brush samples and blends pixels automatically without any manual source point.

The Spot Healing Brush is perfect for quick fixes like tiny blemishes or dust specks. The Healing Brush, though, gives you way more control for tough jobs like smoothing wrinkles or tweaking textures. That’s why retouchers usually reach for the Healing Brush when they need precision.

How do I use Photoshop for healing?

Start by opening your image, then duplicate the layer (Ctrl/Cmd + J). Activate the Healing Brush Tool with "J," Alt-click a clean area to sample it, and paint over the flaw on your new layer.

Tweak the brush size and hardness in the Options bar so it matches the area you’re fixing. Working on a separate layer lets you tweak opacity and blending modes for a seamless repair. For bigger areas, the Patch Tool can also save the day.

How do you clear the spot healing brush in Photoshop?

Hit Ctrl/Cmd + Z to undo the last spot healing stroke, or go to Edit > Undo Spot Healing Brush in the top menu.

If the tool’s acting weird, right-click the icon and pick "Reset Tool" to dump the current settings and start fresh. That clears the active selection and resets how the brush grabs its samples.

Which tool is used to fix imperfections?

The Spot Healing Brush is the go-to for quick imperfections like blemishes, dust spots, and tiny scratches in Photoshop.

It grabs nearby pixels and blends them automatically, so you can knock out small fixes fast without wrecking your original image. When those tiny spots resist cleanup, switch to the Healing Brush, Patch Tool, or Clone Stamp for more muscle.

Why is my spot healing brush not working?

Your Spot Healing Brush might choke if the layer’s locked, the brush hardness is too low, or the sampling mode is misfired — try right-clicking the tool and choosing "Reset Tool," or make sure you’re working on an unlocked layer.

Peek at the Options bar for the "Type" setting (Proximity Match, Create Texture, etc.) and resize the brush to fit the flaw. Still no love? Restart Photoshop or reset preferences via Edit > Preferences > General > Reset Preferences on Next Launch.

How do you fix spot healing in Photoshop?

Unlock the layer, adjust brush size and hardness in the Options bar, then pick a Type option like Proximity Match or Create Texture before clicking or dragging over the flaw.

If the fix looks off, switch to the Healing Brush for more control or try the Patch Tool for bigger areas. Always work on a duplicate layer so you can scrap the fix without grief.

What does Ctrl R do in Photoshop?

In Photoshop 2020, Ctrl/Cmd + R toggles the Rulers on and off, giving you guides along the top and left edges of the document window for alignment and measuring.

Drag the rulers to create custom guides for pixel-perfect layouts. It’s one of those little shortcuts that quietly makes your workflow way smoother.

What is the shortcut key of spot healing tool?

The Spot Healing Brush Tool is summoned by pressing the letter "J" — mash it once for the Spot Healing Brush, or hold Shift + "J" to cycle through the healing gang (Healing Brush, Patch Tool, etc.).

This shortcut stays the same across most Photoshop versions. If the tool ignores you, check your keyboard or head to Edit > Keyboard Shortcuts to see if another command is hogging "J."

How do I fix imperfections on my image?

Pick the Spot Healing Brush Tool (press "J"), resize the brush, then click or drag over the flaw — Photoshop blends the pixels automatically for a clean result.

Always work on a duplicate layer (Ctrl/Cmd + J) so your original stays untouched. If the Spot Healing Brush can’t cut it, fall back on the Healing Brush or Patch Tool for more sampling control and better blending.

Edited and fact-checked by the TechFactsHub editorial team.
Maya Patel

Maya Patel is a software specialist and former UX designer who believes technology should just work. She's been writing step-by-step guides since the iPhone 4, and she still gets genuinely excited when she finds a keyboard shortcut that saves three seconds.