With nearly a third of Americans claiming to have at least one tattoo, body ink has gone mainstream.
You may have one or more yourself, and if not, you almost certainly know someone who does. That's no problem for us here at Our Blood Institute — especially when it's an OBI tattoo! — but here's the thing: as tattoos have become more popular, we've seen more potential donors asking if they can give blood.
We want to clear up any misconceptions, so let's dive into the details of tattoos and blood donation.
Can You Donate Blood If You Have a Tattoo?
The short answer is: yes, you can! And for most, you can donate blood immediately after getting a tattoo.
One of our most loyal donors, Clayton Grubbs, is a perfect example. He followed up his 170th lifetime blood donation with a tattoo commemorating the milestone. And of course, it wasn't long before he was back in a donor chair!
Want to know more about what drives our Superhero Donor of 2024? You can check out his story with the button below.
Meet Clayton Grubbs, OBI Superhero Donor
With that said, there are some important state-specific guidelines to be aware of.
How Long After Getting a Tattoo Can You Donate Blood?
For those with tattoos, the most important thing to think about when donating blood is where to go, not when. Donors who get a tattoo in a licensed place in Oklahoma, Texas, or Arkansas can give blood right away!
- Arkansas tattoo shop license lookup
- Oklahoma tattoo shop license lookup
- Texas tattoo shop license lookup
If you recently got a tattoo from an unlicensed shop or a state without tattoo rules, you'll need to wait three months before your next donation.
Can You Donate Blood If You Have Piercings?
See above — the same rules apply to you. You can donate immediately if the piercing was done in a licensed facility. Otherwise, there is a three-month waiting period.
Why Is There a Waiting Period?
The primary concern with tattoos and blood donation is the risk of transmitting infections, especially if the tattooing process was not performed in a sterile environment. Although rare, infections like hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV can be spread through contaminated needles or ink. The three-month waiting period ensures that if an infection did occur, it will be detected during the blood screening process, preventing the spread of these illnesses to blood recipients.
