When you decided to ink that magnificent hibiscus flower on your forearm, you lot may not have given a 2d idea to what the tattoo might mean for your power to donate blood. Just at present that the U.South. blood supply has dropped to critically low levels (due to COVID-19), you may have felt the urge to donate – just to be told by some "well-meaning" person (on Facebook, of grade) that you tin can't give blood considering of your tattoo.

Is information technology truthful that y'all tin't donate blood if you have a tattoo?

No, it definitely is not true. People with tattoos can donate blood. In fact, blood donation centers will welcome you and your beautiful ink with open up arms.

Information technology's a myth that people with tattoos are barred from donating claret, though you may need to wait three months if y'all got your tattoo in one of these states, which don't regulate tattoo parlors:

  • Commune of Columbia
  • Georgia
  • Idaho
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • New Hampshire
  • New York
  • Pennsylvania
  • Utah
  • Wyoming

The reason you may be asked to wait a few months after getting inked is to make sure yous didn't choice up hepatitis along the way. Keep in listen this restriction applies to cosmetic tattoos, such equally permanent eyeliner, equally well as skin fine art. But having a tattoo, in and of itself, doesn't automatically disqualify y'all from always giving blood.