How Long After a Tattoo Can You Donate Blood?

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We all want to save lives and be heroes, right? And what better way to save a live than by donating blood?

After all, a blood transfusion is needed once every two seconds by someone somewhere in the country, and a single blood donation can save as many as 3 lives!

So if you give blood, you’re committing a very simple act that literally can make or break another person’s life.

Yet, unfortunately, only about 3% of eligible Americans donate blood every year.

Now, if you’re reading this, we can only imagine that you’re interested in the idea of blood donation.

Good for you!

But we can also surmise that you’re probably tattooed, pierced, or are at least interested in different tattoo styles.

So how long after a tattoo can you donate blood?

When Can You Donate Blood After Getting A Tattoo?

Typically, in the United States, you’ll have to wait at least 3-months between getting a tattoo or piercing and the time the donation process takes place.

In some cases, eligibility criteria may allow for shorter wait times, depending on whether or not you’ve gotten your tattoo at a state regulated facility.

Either way, donating blood too soon after getting tattooed puts other people at risk.

And that’s why the American Red Cross and other blood donation centers around the world adhere to strict deferral periods to protect both donors and recipients from spreading diseases to one another.

Why Can’t You Donate Blood Immediately After Getting Tattooed?

Although the risk is low, when you get a tattoo, you’re exposing yourself and your body to a number of potential risks, such as coming into contact with other people’s blood.

And 3 months is the approximate time it takes for any potential blood-borne diseases to manifest themselves in your body.

And no, tattoo placement doesn’t matter. Being inked is being inked, and that exposes you to the risk, no matter what!

Therefore, whether you’ve recently gotten yourself a new tattoo or a new body piercing, after 3 months, if you were exposed to someone else’s contaminated blood, the symptoms would be showing themselves and you would know that you have contracted an illness.

But exactly what type of illnesses are we talking about here?

Hepatitis B And Hepatitis C

Both hepatitis B and C are two of the most commonly spread viruses when it comes to needles and exposure to blood.

These viruses affect the liver and can lead to cirrhosis, cancer and even liver failure.

Although rare in today’s regulated tattoo facilities, there is always a risk of contracting these illnesses, especially in situations where a tattoo artist doesn’t use sterile needles, and doesn’t keep their workspace or shop clean.

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HIV/AIDS

It doesn’t matter what blood type you are, if you are exposed to someone’s blood who carries the HIV virus, there’s a very high chance that you will contract the illness yourself.

HIV is an autoimmune disease where the virus literally attacks the individual’s immune system by targeting and destroying white blood cells. These white blood cells are the ones that protect you from less deadly virus, and that act as the body’s main line of defense against illness.

As HIV progresses, if untreated, it can develop into AIDS, and that’s something you definitely wouldn’t want to be donating to another individual.

Other Potential Infectious Diseases And Medical Conditions – Tattoos And Blood Donation

While Hepatitis and HIV are some of the more commonly spread bloodborne diseases, there are also other potential infectious diseases that you don’t want to donate.

Chagas Disease

If you’ve recently traveled somewhere tropical and maybe gotten a tattoo to commemorate your trip, you may have exposed yourself to a little-known illness called Chagas disease.

It is parasitic illness caused by an infection of the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite.

People are typically exposed to it while traveling in Central America, South America and Mexico.

But there have also been reports of the disease showing up in the southern United States.

Staphylococcus Aureus

Staphylococcus aureus, otherwise known as a staph infection, is yet another reason why you need to sit through a waiting period before you donate blood.

Getting a staph infection from a tattoo is quite rare, but it does happen and the resulting illness can be quite serious.

In fact, in 2004, more than 40 people contracted antibiotic-resistance staph infections after getting tattoos at unlicensed shops in three different states.

Yes, that was a long time ago, but it helps illustrate the risk of infection and the reasons why you must wait before donating any of your lovely little red blood cells to another person.

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Regulated Vs. Unregulated Tattoo Parlors – How Long After A Tattoo Can You Donate Blood?

While most donation centers require you to wait three months, if you got your tattoo from a state regulated entity, you may be eligible to donate sooner.

The regulations that govern the operation of a tattoo shop vary from one state to another. But there are certain laws that apply no matter where a tattoo shop is located.

These laws regulate tattoo facilities to ensure that tattoo artists keep their facilities clean, adhere to upper age limits for how old you have to be to get a tattoo, use clean and sterile equipment at all times, and take precautions to prevent the spread of disease.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tattoos And Blood Donation

Now we know you’ll need to wait at least three months between getting a tattoo or body piercing and becoming a blood donor.

So let’s look at a few frequently asked questions we’ve also heard people ask about blood donation.

Are the deferral period rules any different for plasma donation and tattoos?

No, the rules are not any different when it comes to donating plasma. Individuals still need to wait at least three months between getting a tattoo and donating blood plasma. This ensures that all of the blood donated will be safe to give to someone in need.

What about donating platelets?

The process of whole blood donation differs from both plasma and platelet donation, but all three types of human blood donation require the donor wait at least three months after being tattooed or pierced and giving blood at a donation center.

Are there different rules regarding tattoos and blood donation in different countries?

Certain countries may have different rules. But the 3-month waiting period is typically the standard deferral period you must wait before being eligible to donate in most countries. For example, the same rule apply if you’re looking to donate blood in Canada. However, in Mexico, you may have to wait up to a year before donating.

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