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!
- Arkansas tattoo shop license lookup
- Oklahoma tattoo shop license lookup
- Texas tattoo shop license lookup
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.
