How long after a tattoo can you donate blood

Donating blood is easy and our blood supply relies exclusively on the generosity of volunteer blood donors. There is no substitute for human blood. Most people qualify as a volunteer donor, even if they are taking medications. Review the eligibility criteria below and see if you can be a lifesaver too.

For information about blood donation and the Covid-19 vaccine, visit the Covid-19 and Blood Donation FAQ.

Age Matters

You may donate if you are at least 17 years old (16 years old with written consent from parent or legal guardian), weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in good health.

• Donors age 16-18 are also subject to additional height/weight restrictions.
• Donors age 76 and older can continue to donate blood if they meet all eligibility criteria and present a physician's letter allowing them to donate, once at the first donation after reaching their 76th birthday.  In the absence of a letter from their physician, they must be cleared by an NYBC medical director at each donation.

16 Year Old Parental/Guardian's Permission Form

Common Reasons For Donor Ineligibility 

Read below for some of the temporary or permanent reasons you may not be eligible to donate blood. Some medications or medical conditions can also impact your donation eligibility.

URGENT REQUEST: Please do not give blood just to find out your HIV (AIDS virus) test results. If you need information on where to go for confidential HIV testing, please call your local health department.

Temporary Reasons

Condition	Length of time before you can give blood
Not feeling well for any reason	until symptoms are over
Cold, sore throat, respiratory infection, flu	until 3 days after symptoms are over
Travel to an area of the world where malaria is a problem	3 months after return
Certain cases of heart disease	contact us for medical eligibility at 1-800-688-0900
Ears, nose or skin piercing	3 months after procedure unless done under sterile conditions
Tattoos	Donors who receive tattoos in New York State are deferred from donating for 3 months unless it was applied in New Jersey at a licensed tattoo parlor, in which case you can donate immediately. You can usually donate immediately after receiving a tattoo in licensed parlors in most American states, however the following exclusions apply and will incur a 3 month deferral period: Georgia, Idaho, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, Utah, Vermont, Wyoming, as well as the District of Columbia, US Territories, and any other country.
Pregnancy, abortion or miscarriage	6 weeks after end of pregnancy
Surgery, serious injury	when healing is complete and feeling well
Syphilis, gonorrhea	3 months after treatment completed
Have had certain forms of cancer	contact us regarding medical eligibility 1-800-688-0900
Have had sex with someone who has hepatitis B or hepatitis C	12 months after last occurrence
Blood transfusion	3 months after receiving blood
You are a man who has had sex with another man	3 months after last occurrence
Used non-prescription drugs with a needle	3 months after last occurrence
Taken money or drugs in exchange for sex	3 months after last occurrence
You have had sex with anyone who: Is a man who ever has had sex with another man Has ever used illegal drugs with a needle Has ever taken money or drugs in exchange for sex	3 months after last occurrence

Medications

Antibiotics (except antibiotics for acne) if taken  for infection	when treatment is complete
Accutane, Absorica, Proscar and Propecia	1 month after taking last dose
Avodart and Jalyn	6 months after taking last dose
Soriatane	3 years after taking last dose
Plavix*, Ticlid*	14 days after taking
Coumadin, Effient* and Brilinta*	7 days after taking

See full list of medications that may affect your eligibility as a blood donor.

* These anti-platelet agents affect platelet function so people taking these drugs should not donate platelets for the indicated time; however, you make a whole blood donation.  Anyone taking Coumadin must wait 7 days after their last dose in order to be eligible for any type of donation.

Permanent Reasons

Please do not give blood if you:

• Have ever had a positive test for HIV (AIDS virus)

• Are a hemophiliac

• Had viral hepatitis B or hepatitis C

• Had certain forms of cancer (contact us regarding medical eligibility at 800.688.0900)

Please Note:

• If you have diabetes or are on medications other than those noted above, you may still be eligible to donate blood. Call us to find out: 800.688.0900.

• If you have traveled outside the United States, you may be deferred depending on the country and the length of time spent there. Call us at 800.688.0900 for more information and to determine if you are eligible.

• Travel restrictions are in effect for specific states that would disallow a donor from entering a donor center. If you have spent more than 24 hours in one of the states listed as requiring self-quarantine, please do not schedule a donation until at least 14 days after returning from that state.

• The reasons for not being eligible to donate blood may change at any time.

If you have any additional questions or concerns about donating blood, please contact us.