What To Know If You Want To Donate Blood After Getting Tattooed
Donating blood is charitable and people who practice that are greatly valued and respected, especially if they have a blood type that is high in demand and necessary to save life. Still, there are a few things that you need to consider if you want to donate blood after giving blood.
Below, we will list what you need to know before you donate blood after getting a tattoo.
Donating Blood Is Easy
Donating blood is about a 45-minute process, but the actual donation of one pint takes about eight to 10 minutes. People can donate every 56 days, but the body replenishes the fluid lost during donation within 24 hours. It is important to eat a good meal and hydrate the day before and the day of a donation.
Donations can be scheduled at either of Garth Englunds blood donor centers in northern Colorado the center at 1025 Pennock Place in Fort Collins or the center at UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies, 2500 Rocky Mountain Ave., in Loveland. Interested donors should call or fill out this form to schedule an appointment at either of these locations.
Other organizations outside northern Colorado also operate blood donation centers and host blood drives. Contact your local blood donation center today to donate.
To donate, a person must be at least 18 years old and show photo identification. New donors must weigh at least 120 pounds and be in good health. Prior donors must weigh at least 110 pounds. Donors can donate 14 days after having a COVID-19 vaccination.
Show off that ink and give the gift of life. Sign up to donate blood today.
Can You Donate Blood If You Have Tattoo
Are you thinking of getting a tattoo? Many people are growing more accepting of the tattooing process, although there are some people with controversial and reserved thoughts about the inking process. One of those reserved thoughts and prohibitions includes donating blood after getting your body tattooed.
There are a few things that may disqualify you from becoming a donor for blood, such as age, potential life situations, and events and diseases such as Hepatitis B and C, HIV or AIDS and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases, as well as some severe lungs diseases. In some facilities, you could also be ineligible for giving blood if you recently had a tattoo or a piercing.
In this article, were going to talk about whether its allowed to donate blood if you have a tattoo, as well as some regulations from facility to facility. Make sure to read the article, if youre a regular blood donor, but you want to embark on the tattooing journey.
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Don’t Worry There Isn’t A Limited Amount Of Blood In Your Body
The average adult has around 10 pints of blood in their body.
Making a donation uses about one pint, and your body works quickly to replace all the fluids and cells that have been lost. The blood you’ve donated is usually replenished within 24 hours.
Your body is incredible – it can make around 2m new red blood cells every second, according to NHSBT.
Why Should You Consider Donating Blood
Nationally, 36,000 units of red blood cells, 7,000 units of platelets and 10,000 units of plasma are needed daily in the U.S., according to the America Red Cross. Right now, that average demand is even higher, depleting the nations inventory of blood products and requiring the American Red Cross and other blood donor organizations to plea for new donors to help meet demand.
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Some States Dont Regulate The Tattoo Facilities
Depending on where youve got your tattoo done, there are different times that youll have to wait before you can donate blood. In The United States, most of the states do have regulatory bodies that can regulate and control the tattoo studios and other tattoo facilities that provide inking services.
For that purpose, these regulators will check if those facilities use new ink and replace needles before applying it to their clients. However, that doesnt mean that the tattoos done in all facilities are regulated, and chances are that you will have to wait before you can donate blood.
At the moment, 10 states dont regulate their tattoo facilities. They include:
- District of Columbia
- Pennsylvania
What does that mean?
If youve gotten inked in one of the aforementioned states, youll have to wait a minimum of 3 months before you can donate blood. The waiting time can be extended up to 12 months if there was a side effect or potential infection that emerged after getting some part of your body inked.
Currently, the waiting time of 3 months as stated by the Red Cross.
Do Book In To Donate Plasma Post
So long as your tattoo was done on licensed or regulated premises in Australia and is healing well, you can book in to donate plasma. If it wasnt done on licensed or regulated premises in Australia, dont worry youll be able to donate plasma again in four months. And by that time, youll be ready to donate blood and platelets, too!
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Can I Give Blood After Getting A Tattoo
The short answer to this question is yes, you can give blood after getting a tattoo. There are a few caveats which are important to know about, however, and you may want to be aware that many blood banks reserve the right to refuse donations even if donors are technically eligible to give, based on the interview performed before blood donation takes place. Although it can be disappointing to be told that you cannot give blood, this is done to protect the safety of the blood supply, and you can always return later to offer blood, because blood and plasma are always needed.
In some regions of the world, tattoo artists and their facilities are closely regulated, and subject to mandatory inspections by health department personnel. In these areas, you can give blood after getting a tattoo right away, without a waiting period, although you should still disclose the fact that you have a new tattoo to blood bank staff. If you aren’t sure about whether or not tattoo facilities in your area are subject to such regulation, contact your health department for more information, or call your blood bank and ask specifically how long they want you to wait before giving blood.
Tattoos And Blood Donation
As you may know, when tattooing, your tattoo artist will use a tattoo needle to pierce through your skin to shape and outline your tattoo. The tattooing process allows a lot of bacteria living on your skin to get inside of it and potentially enter your bloodstream.
Among those bacteria, there could also be some blood-borne pathogens that could spread across the blood and result in some sexually-transitive diseases that you may not know about. Thats why many hospitals and medical facilities, as well as blood donating facilities, had a pretty strict policy about donating blood from tattooed individuals.
Even a famous football player Cristiano Ronaldo avoided getting a tattoo because he frequently donated his blood.
As you may know, the healing process for a tattoo can last anywhere from two weeks to six weeks, and cause skin infections if the aftercare is not properly done. The risk is only increased if you didnt get your tattoo done at a certified and regulated tattoo studio but went to an unregulated tattoo artist who didnt adhere to all the rules for hygiene when tattooing.
Still, a lot of professional artists are trying their best to adhere to those rules and make a tattoo that will heal easily and as painlessly as possible, while also advising their clients how to take care of their tattoo so that itd heal swiftly and so that they could get back to donating blood as soon as possible.
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Are There Any Donor Rewards Or Donor Programs That I Can Get Involved In
Yes we have two donor programs. All donors are automatically enrolled in the Gallon Milestone Recognition Program where donors receive special rewards and recognition for reaching specific gallon milestones. Donors may also sign up for the Guardians Circle Donor Pledge Program. This is a membership-based appreciation program for donors that pledge to donate within 8 weeks from the day they are eligible to donate. .
You May Still Not Be Able To Donate Blood
Even if the tattoo process was conducted at a regulated facility with the tattoo process going well, you may still be stopped from donating blood, or forced to wait if you have some of the following conditions that affect you.
- Anemia
- Youve gone through surgery recently. Even dental surgery may prevent you from donating blood before a certain time, usually 3 to 6 months pass.
- Youve caught a cold or are feeling sick.
- You have Hepatitis B or C which is highly contagious and you can get it from the tattooing process.
- You have a bleeding disorder
- Men who engage in sexual activity with other males.
- You traveled to a country that has the high activity of certain disease and has gotten your tattoo there.
- You have a sexually-transmitting disease
- Others
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Do Come In To Donate Before You Get Your Tattoo
Youve got your design ready and youre probably on a wait list for the next available appointment. It can feel like going under the needle is ages away, so what better way to kill some time than coming in to donate with us? If you can squeeze in a donation before you get inked, youll be helping to save lives, and we know youre not afraid of needles!
Tattoos And Body Piercing
People who received a tattoo at a state-licensed and regulated facility in Florida or South Carolina are now eligible to donate once the area has healed. People who received a tattoo at a non-regulated facility or outside of Florida or South Carolina must wait 12-months before they can donate.
People who received any type of body piercing done with single use equipment in Florida or South Carolina are now eligible to donate once the area has healed. All other types of piercings require a 12-month wait before donating.
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Can You Workout After Giving Blood
The American Red Cross recommends that you avoid heavy lifting or strenuous exercise for at least 48 hours after donating blood. The World Health Organization says people should not play sports or take part in activities with a high level of activity for two days following their donation, but some experts recommend waiting four weeks instead to reduce the risk associated with this type if trauma .
Who Can Give Blood
In addition to registration, there is a short mini-physical involved with any blood donation. This is to ensure the person meets the requirements to give blood. These requirements vary depending on which type of donation you wish to pursue . Most people give whole blood, so we will refer to whole blood donation requirements when answering the questions below.
At a minimum, a person needs to be in good general health and feeling well to donate blood. They must also be at least 17 years old . Marisa Munafo, BSN, R.N., Education Specialist at Firelands Regional Medical Center, organizes the blood drives for the organization. Below, she’ll give more details to the question: who can give blood?
Now that we’ve covered many of the eligibility requirements to donate blood let’s answer other questions, such as how long it takes to donate blood and where to give it near you.
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What Should I Expect After Donating Blood
- You will want to eat a healthy meal and drink more fluids than usual .
- Remove the bandage after a minimum of 4 hours.
- Avoid heavy lifting and engaging in strenuous activities for 24 hours after blood donation.
- If you feel lightheaded, lay down with your knees bent. You can also sit down and place your head between your legs. Drinking more fluids also helps to relieve discomfort.
Can I Donate Blood After Getting A Tattoo
Donating a pint of whole blood took about 45 minutes less time than it took to get most of her tattoos and she potentially saved three lives. Finn said she would have donated sooner but had once been told she had to wait a year after getting a tattoo.
I went to donate blood once in college but was told I couldnt because of the rules, Finn said.
Those rules have changed. Most people can donate blood immediately after getting inked, as long as the tattoo was applied at a state-regulated entity that uses sterile needles and ink that is not reused. Colorado regulates tattoo parlors only Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Pennsylvania do not. If youve gotten inked at a Colorado tattoo parlor, you can donate blood immediately.
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How Do I Find A Donation Center
You can find a donation center near you by searching the internet. Organizations such as the American Red Cross and Americas Blood Centers have walk-in donation centers that you can visit almost any time.
Many blood banks and donation services, such as the American Red Cross and Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies, have traveling blood banks that visit schools, organizations, and other locations that are scheduled in advance.
The American Red Cross website also has pages to help you find blood drives as well as provide you with the resources to host your own. As a host, you only need to:
- provide a location for the American Red Cross to set up a mobile donation center
- raise awareness about the drive and get donors from your institution or organization
- coordinate donation schedules
Before you donate blood, follow these tips to prepare your body:
- Wait at least 8 weeks after your last donation to donate whole blood again.
- Drink 16 ounces of water or juice.
- Follow an iron-rich diet consisting of foods such as spinach, red meat, and beans.
- Avoid a high fat meal right before donating.
- Dont take aspirin for at least 2 days before the donation if you plan to donate platelets, too.
- Avoid high stress activities.
How Often Can I Donate Blood
Donating blood requires a waiting period between donations. If you donate:
- Whole blood– you may donate 56 days after your last whole blood donation.
- Double Red Cells- you may donate 112 days after your last double red cell donation. Double red cell donors must meet certain weight, height, and hemoglobin requirements.
- Platelets- you may donate 7 days after your last platelet donation, with a maximum of 24 donations per year.
- Plasma- you may donate 28 days after your last plasma donation.
- 16-18-year-old males 56 or 112 days, depending on donation given
- 16-18-year-old females 112 days
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The Rules Around Sex Are Less Complicated Than You Might Think
You can give blood without a waiting period unless…
You’re a man who’s had sex with another man in the last three months.
You’ve had sex with a partner who’s injected any type of drugs within the last three months.
You’re a sex worker – although you may be accepted if you’ve not received money or drugs for sex in the past three months.
Who Benefits From Blood Donation
The impact of blood donation is full circle. Donating empowers healthy people to share the gift of health, which in turn keeps neighbors and community members alive and thriving. Your donation can help people who have experienced: cancer, car accident or trauma, heart surgery, severe anemia, pregnancy complications, and much more.
Research shows a connection between altruism, generosity and health. Though it might not be the kind of health measured by your fitness tracker, an emotional boost improves overall well-being and can add years to your life. In addition, each time you donate, you get a mini health screening. Track your blood pressure, pulse, hematocrit, temperature and cholesterol in your online personalized health portal.
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How Long Does It Take To Donate Blood And What’s The Process
The physical part of donating blood takes about ten minutes, but the entire process can take up to an hour. That’s because it includes registration, a mini-physical to ensure you meet the eligibility requirements to donate blood, the blood donation, and light refreshments before you leave to ensure your body is replenished with fluids.
Make sure to take care of yourself leading up to the blood draw. Get a good night’s rest the night before, drink plenty of fluids, and eat a healthy breakfast that morning. It’s a good idea to drink an extra glass of water within 10 to 30 minutes before you donate.
If you’re nervous about donating blood, don’t worry. You may feel a quick pinch or a sense of discomfort from the needle, but it happens quickly, and the pain should go away as the blood is drawn. You can look away if you don’t want to see the blood or worry about getting queasy. Please tell the phlebotomist if you have a history of nausea or fainting during blood donations.