Can you still donate blood after getting a tattoo? How long after getting a tattoo can you donate blood? This blog will answer these questions and more!

Does Tattoo Affect Blood Donation?

“If we have tattoo can we donate blood?” “Can I still donate blood after getting a tattoo?” These are two of the most frequently asked questions that tattoo artists often get. Among the common fallacies that have kept many people from giving blood are misconceptions about having tattoos. 

Will a tattoo really prevent you from doing the most honorable initiative to assist those who are in great need which is to donate blood? The trend of getting a tattoo is widespread and will not likely fade very soon.

Does that imply that they cannot give blood again? Keep reading to find out.

Celebrities That Helped This Myth Spread:

Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the greatest football players of our time, doesn't have any tattoos because he regularly donates blood and bone marrow. Getting a tattoo would get in the way of his ability to regularly donate plasma. Ronaldo thus chooses not to get any tattoos so he can be able to donate his blood on a regular basis to help kids who suffer from debilitating diseases.

Myth Squashed

Can you give blood after a tattoo? The majority of people are fooled by the myth that those with tattoos are ineligible to donate blood. Little do they know that the majority of those who get tattoos are able to donate blood. To put it succinctly, you can still donate blood if you have a tattoo.

There is no connection between tattoos and blood donation whatsoever. To become a donor, you don’t have to give up on your personal preferences in fashion, lifestyle, or identity. There are no such sources asserting that having a tattoo prevents you from donating blood. Those who have tattoos are still eligible to donate blood but they must wait for a certain period of time to fulfill certain requirements. 

Becoming ineligible for blood donation after getting inked is therefore a fallacy and a myth. The ink from the tattoo is not absorbed by the bloodstream so one's blood will not turn black after getting a tattoo or become contaminated, contrary to what many think, your blood is still as valuable as it was before getting a tattoo.

Unfortunately, the myth of blood and tattoo donation has prevented thousands of potential eligible blood donors from donating blood. This misinformation is widely spread and very harmful. Blood donation is very important and should be encouraged as a drop of blood could really save a life. 

Blood Donation After Tattoo 

Now that you have the answer to the question” can people with tattoos donate blood?”, keep reading. Today, it is both possible and safe to donate blood after getting a tattoo. However, to avoid spreading serious illnesses, you must wait for a certain period of time after getting your tattoo. Wait till you feel it healing entirely before you could donate blood. That’s how you know it is completely safe to donate.

Okay so how long after a tattoo can you give blood? In fact, you must wait for at least six months before donating blood if you recently got inked. The six-month waiting time before giving blood applies to all tattoo types even cosmetic tattoos, like your eyebrows.

How long to donate blood after tattoo? The American Red Cross advises waiting 12 months before donating blood for anyone who did not receive their tattoo from a certified establishment to make sure they are free of any contagious infections they might have picked up during that time. 

Donating blood is the most important thing ever, so don’t be afraid to do it after you’ve waited for 6 to 12 months!

Why Wait?

The health risks linked to tattoos are growing. As a result, a large number of potential donors have shied away from the blood bank because they constantly run the risk of contracting various dangerous diseases like hepatitis, HIV, etc. One can become infected with diseases like hepatitis or HIV if the needle used in the tattoo procedure is not sterilized or has remnants of infected blood. Hepatitis can be easily spread through the bloodstream. 

During a blood transfusion, there is a significant danger of transmitting that to the recipient. Hepatitis B and C have the potential to be fatal. Therefore, those with HIV or those suffering from the conditions stated above shouldn’t donate blood.

In order to avoid cross-contamination and blood-borne infections, patients should avoid giving blood shortly after obtaining a tattoo. People must wait 12 months before giving blood so that the incubation period for hepatitis B and C is over to be on the safe side. The tattoo is given enough time to heal throughout this deferral period. 

You shouldn’t stress much about donating your blood after 12 months of getting your tattoo because your blood will be put through rigorous testing to preclude any possibility of catching a fatal disease anyway. In the event that you don’t know if you’re ready, the blood donation center is still going to run tests on you(tests such as viruses like hepatitis) in order to check your elligibility to donate blood, 

Once again, giving blood is a noble act because it has the potential to save up to three lives. Giving blood demonstrates selflessness and your willingness to make a difference in someone’s health and ability to live. If 12 months have passed and you are in a good health, you can donate blood. However, we recommend consulting with a health doctor before if you’re still scared or stressed about donating blood.

Last Words

Not being able to donate blood while having a tattoo is a fallacy and a myth. However, if you recently got a tattoo, you should wait at least six months to 12 months before you donate blood so that your body can get rid of any potential infections that you might have developed during your tattoo appointment.