The Blood Matters Blog ·

Can You Donate Blood If You Have a Tattoo?

These days, tattoos are more popular than ever. Millions of Americans have gotten them, and chances are, many people you know personally have a tattoo — or more than one! Here's what the tattooed potential donors among us need to know before booking an appointment.

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A woman with tattoos donating blood

It's official: 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 grown in popularity, we've noticed an uptick in potential donors wondering if they're able to give blood products.

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. However, there are some important guidelines to be aware of.

How Long After Getting a Tattoo Can You Donate Blood?

For the tattooed among us, the most crucial factor to consider when scheduling a blood donation is often where, not when. That's because donors who received a tattoo in a licenced facility in Oklahoma, Texas or Arkansas can give blood immediately!

If you recently got a tattoo from a non-licensed tattoo shop, or from a state that does not regulate tattoo facilities, then you'll need to wait three months from the time of tattooing.

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.

Have Other Questions About Your Eligibility to Donate?

Many factors could influence someone's ability to donate blood. Our comprehensive eligibility guide is a great resource for those who have questions about blood donation!

OBI's Donation Eligibility Guide

  • An illustration of blood donation

    Wait, Some States Don't Regulate Tattoo Facilities?

    Actually, yes! While each tattoo artist across the U.S. must be licensed, nine states (and our nation's capital!) currently do not regulate the tattoo ink itself. Those states: Georgia, Idaho, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Utah, Wyoming, D.C.

    Not Sure If You Can Donate Right Now?

    If you're still unsure about whether you can give blood, the best thing to do is give us a call! Dial 888-308-3924 and one of our amazing donor care representatives will assist you.

    Find a Blood Drive or Donation Center Near You

    OK, tattooed and pierced potential donors! Now that you’re looped in, are you ready to donate? We need you! There is no substitute for human blood, and it can only be supplied from generous humans like you. Please consider rolling up your sleeve to help keep our local blood supply steady — and maybe we can check out your cool tattoos, too!

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