Can You Donate Plasma With Piercings and Tattoos?

The short answer is yes, you can donate with piercings or tattoos - but if they were completed within the last 4 months, your eligibility might be affected. Since you plan to donate plasma, a component of your blood, our BioLife medical professionals first need to rule out any potential blood contamination that is common in tattoo and piercing procedures. We ask that you be honest and as accurate as possible when communicating information about your piercings or tattoos prior to donation.

Whether you can donate plasma with tattoos depends on the specific donation center's policies and guidelines. In general, having tattoos doesn't automatically disqualify you from donating plasma, but there are some factors to consider:

If you have recently gotten a tattoo or piercing, there might be a waiting period before you can donate plasma. A recent tattoo or piercing may affect your eligibility to donate for a period of 4 months. You may be eligible to donate if your tattoo(s) and/or piercing(s) are older.

This waiting period is usually in place to ensure that the tattoo or piercing has healed completely and there is no risk of infection.

The location of your tattoo can also play a role. If your tattoo is in an area that is commonly used for vein access during donation (such as the inner arm), the donation center might need to assess whether the tattoo could affect the donation process.

A recent tattoo or piercing that occurred outside the United States may affect your eligibility to donate. If the tattoo was done in a regulated and licensed establishment, it might not be cause for concern. However, tattoos done in unregulated settings, such as a tattoo done at home or performed by a friend, even in the United States, could potentially raise issues related to health and safety.

If so, the donation center will more than likely defer your donation of plasma for a period of time until there are no longer any signs of infection.

The primary concern for BioLife donation centers is the health and safety of both the donor and the recipient. If your tattoo or piercing is fully healed, 4 months have passed since received, doesn't show any signs of infection, and doesn't pose a risk to the donation process, you might be eligible to donate plasma.

It's important to contact your local BioLife plasma donation center to inquire about their specific guidelines regarding tattoos, piercings, and donation. They will be able to provide you with accurate and up-to-date information based on their policies.

If you're unsure about donation policies, it's always best to check with the BioLife donation center in your area directly.