TKTX is the most copied numbing cream on the planet. That's the price of being the one everyone wants. The trouble is that a fake tube looks close enough at a glance, costs a few bucks less, and then lets you down halfway through your session. Here's how to tell the real thing from a knock-off before it ever gets near your skin.

Why there's so much fake TKTX around

TKTX is made by a number of factories around the world, and the name carries serious weight with tattoo clients and artists. Wherever there's demand, copycats follow. The manufacturers themselves warn that TKTX sold on marketplaces like eBay, Amazon and AliExpress is counterfeit. Those listings are often shipped direct from overseas warehouses, with no Australian business behind them and nobody to call when something goes wrong.

Spend five minutes on Reddit's tattoo forums and you'll see the fallout. People say "TKTX used to be great, now you don't know what you're getting." Ask a few more questions and the story is nearly always the same: a cheap marketplace tube, no ingredients list, no seller details. That's not the cream letting them down. That's a fake doing what fakes do.

Red flags: how to spot a fake TKTX tube

1. Odd percentages with commas

Look for strengths written like "38,99%" or "59,99%", with a comma for the decimal and weird near-round numbers. That's a classic copycat tell.

2. Every colour, same strength, same price

If a listing has Gold, Black, Blue, Yellow and Red all at the same percentage and the same price, be suspicious. Genuine ranges are built around clear differences in strength and use, which is the whole point of having different colours.

3. No hologram, or a dodgy one

Check the box for a gold security hologram. Missing, blurry, peeling or flat-printed holograms are a warning sign.

4. No batch number, no expiry

Check the box for printed batch and expiry details. If there's no batch number or use-by date at all, don't use it.

5. Sloppy printing and packaging

Watch for blurry logos, spelling mistakes, colours that don't match, tubes that look refilled, crimps that aren't straight, or a seal that's already broken. Real stock arrives sealed and looking sharp.

6. A price that's too good to be true

If a "99%" tube costs less than a sausage-sizzle lunch, there's a reason. Genuine stock costs real money to source, store and ship properly.

7. A seller with no name, no address, no phone

Can you find who you're actually buying from? A real business shows its full company name, location and contact details. A marketplace storefront called "BestNumbShop88" doesn't count.

Why it actually matters

• It might not work. Fakes can be weak, inconsistent or just plain duds. You sit down expecting a long numb and get twenty minutes.
• You don't know what's in it. No proper labelling means no idea what's going on your skin before a needle goes through it.
• Your skin and your tattoo. Plenty of the "TKTX gave me a reaction" stories online trace back to unverified marketplace tubes.
• No comeback. If something goes wrong with an overseas marketplace order, good luck getting anyone on the phone.

Why buy from an authorised Australian stockist

TKTX Company Australia is an authorised Australian stockist of genuine TKTX, along with other top brands like Dr Pickles, J-PRO and TAG #45. We don't make the cream. We make sure what you get is the real deal, stored properly and sent fast. Here's what that means for you:

• Genuine stock only. We don't touch the counterfeit tubes doing the rounds on marketplaces.
• Sent from Melbourne, with same or next business day dispatch.
• Free shipping over $100 and free express over $150.
• Real humans. Questions about which strength, how much or how to apply it? Email or call us. You'll get a person, not a bot farm.
• We put our name on it. Our full company details and location are on the site. Look for that from any seller.

Already bought a tube and not sure?

Check it against the list above: hologram, batch and expiry, print quality, seal. If something's off, don't put it on your skin. Got questions about a tube you bought from us? Email info@tktxcompany.com.au with your order number and a photo and we'll sort it out.

Pick the right genuine TKTX for your session

• TKTX Gold Triple Action Absolute Endurance: our go-to for long sittings.
• TKTX Max Strength Platinum Black: big pieces, serious strength.
• TKTX Max Strength Yellow: a premium option for sensitive skin.
• TKTX Max Strength Blue: fast absorption for smaller work.
• Gone in 60 Mid-Session Comfort Spray: sold exclusively at TKTX, for when your numb starts to fade.

Or browse the full genuine TKTX numbing cream range.

Fake TKTX FAQ

Is TKTX on eBay or Amazon real?

The manufacturers say marketplace TKTX is counterfeit. To be sure you're getting the real thing, buy from an authorised stockist that publishes its business details.

Why does genuine TKTX come in different colours?

The colours sit at different points in the range by strength and use case, from quicker, lighter options for small work to long-session endurance creams for big pieces. Not sure which suits you? Ask us.

Is the cream itself supposed to be pink?

Many genuine TKTX creams are a pink-toned cream whatever colour the box is, so the cream colour on its own won't tell you if it's fake. Check the packaging, the batch and expiry details and the seller instead.

Quick one: patch test first, follow the directions on the pack, and check with your artist before your session. Results vary with skin, placement and timing.