Hi Qcknd, I’m a phlebotomist and I live in Georgia. I wanted to tell you a little bit more information regarding tattooed people and blood donation. Firstly, the American Red Cross does have more strict blood donation regulations, specifically regarding tattoos. However, the Red Cross isn’t the only blood donation agency in the US. In Pennsylvania there are five other agencies, so it’d be good to look at the requirements at each agency because they can vary quite a bit. Here in Georgia most people donate at One Blood, their requirements state that “if you’ve been tattooed in a state licensed facility you may donate once the area is healed, if from an unlicensed facility the wait period is twelve months after receiving the tattoo” (I summarized). This requirement used to be different I believe but was changed recently. Hopefully more blood donation agencies will have similar requirements eventually. I think it’s important to note that regulations such as these are not targeting pierced or tattooed people, there are many different things that can exclude you from being able to donate or require a wait period before donating. For example, certain medications can exclude you, and if you travel out of the country there may be a wait period. They are extra cautious when it comes to blood because patients who need it are often in a life or death situation. Those who come up with the regulations want to ensure that the possibility of infection/rejection/or death is as small as possible; and unfortunately that excludes a lot of people from donating. I think it’s great that your friend wanted to donate blood and felt that it’s important. Hopefully regulations regarding tattoos will more like what I said earlier in the future. Thanks to everyone that took the time to read this because I know it’s long, and thanks for bringing up this topic, Qcknd. I hope I helped shed some light.
Sheridan this is a great point! My mother lived in England during the Mad Cow outbreak, and because of that she's permanently unable to donate blood, regardless of whether or not she was ever sick!
I was so sad one time, when i donated and then got diarrhoea a day later. Had to ring them up to tell them to bin it. Disappointing as that was, i'd be horrified if i ever found out my blood was given to an immunosuppressed individual or fragile baby and then they developed diarrhoea which contributed to their death.
I hope this doesnt come off as rude, but i actually really think that this regulation is ok. I think its important that blood donation drives are extra careful!
Shannon Hensley it takes extra tests, more money and more time to test these people on hepatitis too, while that money and time could also be used to actually actively donate and take more blood. It takes up way more time and money then you think to just do one more test.
I wonder if it varies by state, but I just donated blood in New Hampshire last week, don't have any tattoos, and they automatically tested me for Hepatitis (I asked the person drawing my blood which diseases they would test me for, which is how I know)
Claire Claes No it doesn't every single batch of blood by law has to be tested for all blood born viruses and infections regardless of the person it came from.
@@sonianevarez1748 the fear there is that ink particles will be picked up while drawing. Ink particles can lodge in the lymph nodes and stay there, y'know.
This is honestly a pretty fair regulation. It applies across the globe, and there isn't really a problem. I'm tattooed, and because I can't donate this year at all, I am a volunteer with my university's blood team. There are many ways to get involved, including being a stem cell donor applicant, and ultimately, there are so many ways to help!
I'm not from the US, but here in New Zealand, you have to wait at least 6 months after a piercing to give blood, and it's a year for a tattoo. What's rubs in it even more is the fact that if you get a piercing done at a chemist's, with a piercing gun, you're fine to give blood, even though it's most likely way less clean and professional than if it was done at a piercing place.
As someone who receives blood transfusions weekly, I agree with the regulation. It's not any less discriminatory than their other rules. They don't allow people who have left their home country in the past year, for safety purposes. Considering that tattooed people who increase the already-present risk of blood-transmissible illness, I'm thankful that they're being careful. It already sucks to think that my medicine might make me sicker; I'm just glad they're doing their best to minimize the risks.
Rose Teeters There's thousands of healthy people who can't donate blood because of those regulations. I can understand a 6 month ban. But not for life.
Lydia Shultz There are enough people to give blood already with the restrictions in place. Would you rather have a blood transfusion from someone that is almost guaranteed to be safe or have one from a risky donor just because someone felt "unequal".
Rose Teeters I completely agree, I get monthly immunotherapy treatments that consist of the plasma from multiple donors because I have an immune deficiency. Someone donating blood while they have strep throats could kill me, hepatitis isn't something to mess around with. Just because she hasn't experienced poorly regulated tattoos in New York doesn't mean poor hygienic practices don't happen
In England (and as it seems a couple other counties) there's a four month wait after you've been tattooed. To me that seems fair, I can't understand why people can't give blood if they've been tattooed - it just seems like an unnecessary block.
From what I understand, it is because there's a chance ink is in your blood stream...If that gets in with the donated blood and that blood goes in to someone who is allergic to ink, well, you've just screwed that person even more.
I was at a tattoo shop where the artist accidentally placed the inside of a neosporin lid on the table and threw out the entire container to avoid any contamination.
So crazy! I live in Georgia, and when I was in my junior and senior year of high school(2011-2013) I often volunteered at Red Cross blood drives with taking care of donators after they gave blood, and I recall the regulation being "if you've had a tattoo done in the last year you can't donate" because some of the diseases that were concerning couldn't be detected if you had a tattoo recently. I was never able to donate at the time as I was underweight, and wasn't allowed. That was four years ago, and now that I am of average weight for my height and age, I was looking forward to finally being able to donate. I wasn't aware the regulations have changed. I am on the fence about this, because personally, I went to one of the best shops in the state, and got my tattoo by an amazing artist who was extremely big on keeping this clean and sterile. In fact, I had to use the restroom during my appointment, and my artist told me if I could wait that would be better, because if not he had to wrap my tattoo, sterilize it, and then when I got back had to unwrap and resterilize it. (We were on the last stretch of the tattoo. I wouldn't have to wait long.) However I also know that a lot of people do stick and pokes in their friends kitchen, share ink, and I really hope they weren't sharing needles... Because of that, I honestly think it's best we aren't able to donate. There's no way to regulate who goes to clean shops, and who gets scratchers. But that's just my opinion on the matter. I have a friend who donates all the time, who is much older than me (in her 40s), who got a tattoo to commemorate her daughter's passing, who I suppose now will never be able to donate to something she's so passionate about. It's very saddening. Edit** Also I wasn't aware at the time of getting my tattoo that most Onsens in Japan won't allow you in if you have tattoos, because of tattoos being seen as an affiliation with the Yakuza, and that really disappointed me. Haha
It is really nice to be informed about this! I'm still heartbroken that I cannot donate blood either way due to a blood disorder. But I am happy to be able to educate others :)
I live in Oregon where the state has the strictest tattoo licensing standards in the country and I can tell you for sure that it makes it way harder to get your tattoo license, but it also makes the standards for every shop WAY higher. Like you said, you are going to high end shops so of course you are going to have high caliber artists who are making good money, and who use single use materials (which are more expensive), but that's not the case in every little sketchy shop on the block. The main thing is that the Red Cross is making a list of states that don't regulate tattooing at all and saying we can't trust that FOR SURE that every shop has the standards we deem neccesary to trust the blood isn't contiminated. It's definitely not fool proof and it's going to exclude mostly healthy people but the chances of someone getting a blood borne disease from a tattoo in an unregulated state is statistically higher. I would say the problem is more to do with certain states not regulating tattoos at all, meaning literally anyone can pay a fee and get a license, which makes for many a sketchy tattoo artist/shop. To answer your question about conventions, it also depends on the state. In Oregon where it's super strict, every artist from out of state has to apply for a temporary license proving that their training is comparable to that which they would have to undergo to recieve a license in Oregon, which would thereby prove that their personal safety standards are on par with the laws and regulations in Oregon. Most other states aren't that strict, and just having a license in any US state is enough. I've never been to a convention in any of the states on the list but I'm guessing they're pretty lax, which is why the Red Cross feels they can't be sure enough to accept their blood. To give you an example of the variance in training for a tattoo license in different states- In Oregon you have to have 300+ hrs of training, including ~150 on skin diseases, contamination and other health issues, do 50 "procedures" that are observed by a licensed tattoo artist, and take a huge two part test at the state level to get your license. In Washington, 1 state away, all you have to do is take a blood borne pathogens class online and pay a fee to get a tattoo license. Obviously this doesn't speak to the caliber of artistry at all, but from a regulatory stance you can see why different states are treated differently. If I were to hazard a guess about what exact standard they are looking for, I would guess maybe the states on the list don't require even a blood borne pathogens exam for tattoo artists? SORRY FOR THIS ESSAY!
As a person for the most part outside the tattooing/tattooed community, I really appreciate this insight, even if it is long. (Sometimes it has to be in order to convey the necessary information)
The thing is that legally in a lot of those states you can tattoo yourself at home, or get a tattoo from a friend at their house ect. They can't regulate that or prove that a person doesn't have a tattoo done at home. They can't prove that a tattoo your friend did at home was done in a clean way.
In Canada (specifically Ontario) the wait time after a tattoo or piercing is 6 months. And if I remember correctly you can donate by yourself without parental consent at 16 or 17 years old. I know that I definitely donated at 17 and didn't need my parents there or to sign a waiver for me.
Girl, you're glowing :) So glad to see you feeling better. Could you do a video about your process for maintaining punky-colored hair? Maybe talk about how many washes/week you did, the difference between your red, green, and pinky/purple hair for maintenance. Dos and don'ts for bleaching and stuff. Hope to talk to you sometime !!
I wonder if it's the same for like cosmetic tattoos or microblading? Because a lot of people don't really consider them to be tattoos but it's basically the same level of regulation?
This is all news to me. I live in Connecticut so this has never been an issue. thank you for the knowledge. I'm glad when you talk about topics you do through research and get secind and third opinions. it makes your discussions valid. Overall I really love this episode.
Can't donate here in SLC, I've been getting tattooed regularly for two years and the Red Cross still leaves me guilt tripping voice mails about needing my blood type.
Breezantines i live just outside of SLC (tooele) and omg, i get 2 phone calls everyday from the red Cross, and they know I can't donate for the next year! it makes me feel so bad
I think some of these regulations were made and never really updated. My parents are from Italy and moved to the US in the mid 90s but to this day they cannot donate blood in the US because they were in Europe during the mad cow outbreak. Which is silly because people in Italy donate blood all the time even if they've lived there for decades. I'm guessing rules like this are hard to change so no one does.
I live in the UK. I had 2 tattoos done a month a part and had to wait 4 months after my second before I could donate blood. when I went after the 4 months they asked me about my tattoos and I told her I was aware of the 4 month rule and I had waited to make sure it had been over 4 months just to be safe. she told me that was a good idea and explained that they take samples of the blood to test (this is for a normal donation for anyone) however with it being less that a year for my tattoos that they would take an extra sample with me having tattoos. just to be sure that I didnt have hepatitis or hiv. I can now donate regularly again until I have some more tattoos :)
It's like this in Canada as well. I have tattoos and this month will be the first time I can donate blood since 2013 because i've continually gotten tattoos every 5-6 months and here they won't let you give blood if you have been tattooed within 6 months. I understand why they do it and it's all about and precautions but I do admit that it is a bummer. I always want to donate blood and help out but I usually can't because I have been tattooed. I think they should come up with a new law/plan for this but if they don't i'm not too bothered because I do know there are other ways to help. I know this comment won't mean much but I just wanted to contribute with my little two bits here. Really enjoyed this video :) I hope you're happy and that moving in is going more smoothly now. Keep it up girl!
Emma Robinson it is a sexy shirt for sure. too bad her face looks like a foot. I also can't help but to be reminded of a cross between Mr. Bean and Peewee when looking at her
I live in Indiana. I donated blood back in January. I have a large percentage of tattoos, I had just recently had my hands tattooed. They were done in a regulated facility, and they were healed at the time of donation. There was absolutly no issues with me donating. Me and the nurses and everyone literally sat there and talked about our tattoos and piercings.
I live in Nevada and I've always been told I can't donate within the same year but they always said it was because, and I quote, "we don't know you got it in cousin Joe's basement." and that was from a blood donation employee. However, I've also had friends that straight up lied about it and we fought about it because I didn't think it was right to outright lie.
in hawaii the rules are: You are able to donate if you: Received your tattoo from a state-regulated tattoo shop (Hawaii is a regulated state) You are unable to donate if you recently had: Your tattoo was done in an unlicensed or unregulated tattoo shop or if you had a traditional Hawaiian or Polynesian tattoo done with reusable bone needles
can you talk about tattoos and MRIs? I have a condition where I can develop a tumour. when I go for a MRI I am always asked if I have any. I would really like to get some but want to know what the potential risks are for those who need MRIs . I also heard that there is an ink where you are able to get MRIs
wantstobe asuperhero they should still let you get an MRI if you've had a tattoo. Some tattoo inks have metals in them that will react with the MRI scanner. Tattooing ink isn't regulated so you wouldn't really ever know if you have one of those inks or not--but most inks don't have the specific metals they're concerned about or it's in very small amounts. If you have one of those inks then there's a small chance that your tattoo could heat up during an MRI and cause a burn. There are only a handful of documented cases like this though… and plenty of MRIs done daily on tattooed people, so you're probably OK! I wonder if they just ask so that if you complain of irritation during it they know to stop the scan.
Generally an MRI isn't considered a huge issue...but the techs have to be aware, because it could be a little one. Some (depending on where you are, many) inks contain metals that when exposed to an MRI heat up and burn the flesh they are embedded in. The majority of people would never receive more than some skin irritation, and in the most severe cases a first degree (somewhere akin to a bad sunburn or spilling hot coffee on your leg) or (very rarely) second degree burns. The reason they ask is so that they can be prepared, and so they can make you aware of the possible complications before they start the procedure. But tattoos would not be as popular as they are if people couldn't get a routine procedure like a MRI done! If in doubt, ask next time you go, or call if you won't be in for awhile, they'll be able to give you the best and most relevant advice! (Source: I asked the Radiation Therapy student who lives below me!)
*Unless* there is metal, and in many inks there is. (also it's obviously not a myth, given that it's on screening questionnaires and is a section in a Rad Therapy textbook). (Also also, a CT scan quite obviously poses no threat, there's nothing to heat the metal...just to clear that up!) Please don't go around saying medical precautions are a myth though, people aren't always the brightest and could get hurt out of ignorance :)
wantstobe asuperhero Basically, if the ink has metal, the ink can be pulled from your skin...Not only is that going to be excruciatingly painful, but it'll also mess up your tattoo.
This is such an interesting topic!! Before this I knew about tattoos but never thought about piercings.... so I did a quick search on the Australian Red Cross page.. In Australia there is a 4 month wait after being tattooed to donate, that also includes cosmetic tattooing. Ear piercings if done with clean, single use disposable equipment limit you to being only able to donate plasma for 24 hrs after. After that you can go back to donating whole blood or platelets. All other piercings limits you to donating plasma for 4 months.
In England it is a 6 month wait after a tattoo/ piercing but for me they double checked me for hep B because of my tattoos, and checked my iron levels because of my being a vegetarian. They were super nice about it all, and explained it to me properly. You can also call them in England, if you are already a donor, when you have been tattooed/ pierced and they will contact you when you are okay to donate again which is quite cool.
Not everyone gets tattooed at a parlor, anyone can buy a tattoo kit online and tattoo people from their home. Prisoners get tattoos while serving time, and anyone can lie about where they got it done. I'm sure blood drives take this into account and they just want to be careful to prevent the spread of disease.
My college does a blood drive once a semester and I was finally on campus and available two semesters ago during the drive. I went, waited, filled out all the paper work, got my finger pricked and my iron tested and everything. Then, because I had answered yes to getting a piercing in, I believe, the last year a man asked me where I had gotten the piercing and how long ago. So I told him the name of the tattoo shop and looked through my photos to figure out the exact date I had gotten the piercing. It had been within whatever timeline they set for raising concern and he said the place I got it done wasn't on their approved list. So, I would have to wait and he said it was because an infection could form but he also said if I had gotten it done at somewhere like claire's or piercing pagoda I could give blood. So, I thought this was interesting because apparently they have a list of approved places that they have deemed sanitary enough. It's funny too because the piercing is a nose stud which claire's doesn't do and I would never trust piercing pagoda to do because they use a gun! So, I had no idea this was even a rule and was pretty bummed but encouraged all my friends to donate even though I couldn't.
The quaranteen periods are there for a reason - I'm horrified to hear that people actually lie whime donating blood😠 The rules might be exaggerated, but I prefer overly cautious health experts over taking risks with peoples lives. I sincerely hope people would not lie about their tattoos - it helps noone and doesn't exactly build a picture of us tattooed folk as responsible and trustworthy people.
I'm from Belgium, I donated blood last year. They asked me questions on everything from tattoo, piercing, travel, sex partners, with time frames, past medical issues. I thought I wouldn't give blood that day, that I'd just get questioned and come back another time because both my friends had to wait 3 months, one because of a piercing and the other went on a risky destination for a trip, also she was too skinny. I'm 51kg and 50 is the minimum and I ended up giving blood that day... It was a long day of uni, I was a bit dehydrated unfortunately, they had trouble with keeping the needle in, my blood didn't flow well enough and you can only give for about 10-12 min. Overall not the greatest experience but they were really nice, gave me snacks and drinks, I'll definitely be better prepared for next time I donate. I just have a feeling that they didn't end up using my blood, I'm pretty sure a lot of it gets thrown out because better be safe than sorry. Maybe I'm just making it up but she seemed a bit bumped that I couldn't fill the bag enough etc. At least they didn't contact me to tell me there was something wrong in my blood, I even went back to ask if all my results were okay. So moral of the story: if you haven't been pierced, tattooed, travelled to a more equatorial country, had sex with a "new" partner in the last 6 months and you're not too skinny be prepared, well hydrated and rested and don't go home after with public transports when you're carrying a lot of books but ask for a ride instead... haha I'm so happy I didn't faint #plzlearnfrommymistakes
From what I know... about the tattoo process.... Here in France, time blackout is 4 month btw. Soooo tattoo is inserting ink under your skin, so basically a wound, it needs time to heal and your body creates antibodies till it's healed... in a blood donation you can't have these in your blood... Further more, ink migrates for some time after the tattoo was done, and is eliminated by your blood, so in a medical meaning, your blood then is spoiled and they won't take the risk. On the same thing, in France you can't donate if you had a dentist visit like even a simple cleansing... still for the same reason.
Jazmin L yeah especially if you're short,, since I'm only 4'11" I would need to weigh more than someone taller. I think if you're a female (ages 16-22) you have to be at least 110 and 5'6" and the weight requirement increases as you get shorter
In addition to any organizational blood donation restrictions. Anesthesiologists, Nurses, Phlebotomists etc. when administering epidurals, medications, obtaining blood, any needle entry into the body will be careful when encountering tattoos. If a tattoo isn't fully healed, red, oozing, swollen, they will look for an alternate location for needle entry into the body. Even with fully healed tattoos in good condition they will look for an opening in the tattoo to minimize the chance of infection or damage to the tattoo. In my experience, finding a location without a tattoo for needle entry is ALWAYS most desirable for the medical professional. Also, a small space or less inked area of an existing fully healed tattoo is an option for heavily tattooed patients. Keep in mind in some emergencies the patient is not able to communicate information about their tattoos.
You'd be really good at a podcast, I'd love to listen to a tattoo related podcast while on the bus or something when I can't watch a video because of no internet, even if it's the audio from a video or something haha ❤
Hey! I'm from Poland and I also wanted to donate blood but, in our system, we have to wait for about half of a year after getting a new piercing or a tattoo. I asked my friend (she's at medical school) why we need to wait for that long and she said that it's connected with getting sure that everything is healed or nearly healed, because of the changes in the immune system during healing process
I think something you are not thinking of is not all people have tattoos at legitimate shops ie Prison or basement tattoos. There is no way a blood donor place would know or could prove where you are getting it from that may be some of the unstated reasons.
They recently brought down the timeframe in Australia for post tattoo blood donation to four months which is awesome! It makes it so much more accessible.
In Chile, specifically when it comes to tattoos and donating blood, you can't donate if you have a piercing or a tattoo that's less than 12 months old. My guess? It’s because one is more susceptible to infections when your bodymod is healing and they want to be sure that your wound had time to heal properly. But I’m really curious now if they test the blood after. I would think they have to, right?
I'm from New Hampshire! I'm 16, no tattoos, but cannot donate blood due to my height and weight (5'2", 100 lbs). Although I am not tattooed, i find this video very interesting, and I honestly suspected NH to be on this list, simply because the regulations are so strict. I don't even know what my blood type is! Yet, I can have my blood drawn at the doctors office? Strange concept.
Your weight disqualifies you from blood donation because you likely don't have enough blood volume to spare a whole pint. If you were to donate, the likelihood of you passing out would be quite high. In Indiana, where I live, the minimum weight required is 116lbs.
ditto, I can't give blood cuz i'm similar height and weight as you. In California, I would have to be at least 110 lbs. but at the rate that i'm gaining weight or lack thereof, it seems I won't ever be able to donate. =(
Amanda Bizarro You donate more blood than when it is just drawn if you weigh less it is more likely for you to black out from the amount of blood that is taken out so the rule it is for your safety (all states have this regulation)
I'm borderline (5'3 116lbs) and I've passed out twice and puked once while giving blood. It's a lot more than what they do at the Dr but even Dr blood draws make me woozy and cold.
I grew up in Massachusetts and now I live in Pennsylvania, and I never realized this wasn't a country-wide thing. I didn't realize the rule only applied to people from certain states.
Elizabeth Killinger that's a ignorant ass thing to say look that shit up first because im gay and I donate blood and my uncles that are gay also donate blood gtfoooo
It isn't - www.huffingtonpost.com/news/gay-blood-donation-ban/. I don't know where you live - but this is something that happens in the US. I don't think it is right and its just as much as bad science as denying tattoo'd individuals because as many other commenters have pointed out - donated blood is run through extensive testing.
Elizabeth Killinger it varies in country to country and it's not all gay people it's men because it says that rule does not affect women who are with another other. women . the whole thing is way more complicated than just "gay people can't donate blood "
Of course it is. Everything is. But saying GTFO, when I was not trying to be rude and am not ignorant of the issue is bs. I was trying to point out that voluntarily getting a tattoo and then not being able to give blood is different than someone being refused due to their sexuality. Stop taking everything so personally.
I work for United blood services, and from what I've learned is it is all regulated by the FDA saying yes or no. And the states change all the time. Arizona used to be an automatic 12 month deferrel, but now you can get a tattoo and donate when it's healed, Nevada used to be the same and now it's changed to a 12 month deferrel. It just depends. And I would suggest always calling and asking because you never know if you are able to or not
I'm from Canada and we have the same sort of deal; we cannot donate blood if we've been pierced or tattooed in the last 12 months. And I found out that my scarification is also included in that because the health concerns are still the same; there was still something that broke the surface of my skin. (Really frustrated me too, 'cause I only had a few days left before I was past the 12 month mark!)
im i the only one who gets annoyed by the length of Qcknd her videos, i really like her but girl get to the point. update: I might've used the wrong words. I don't have a problem with the length of her videos at all, I personally just dislike it that she tells a 15 minute story that could easily be told in under ten minutes. I myself am more into bite sized and to the point information so I don't lose my interest. but then again some people are more into qcknd her calm and collective manor of explaining things. it all comes down to personal preference.
krln_ don't click on the video then if you don't like how "long" they are, RUclips shows the length of the video before you even click it for that exact reason. And tbh her videos aren't even that long especially as most videos range from 6 minutes to 30 minutes 😒
I live in Adelaide, Australia. We have a similar ruling, however it's 6 months since your last tattoo. They also ask questions if you have taken drugs or used needles for other non medically regulated purposes.
Believe me, I feel your pain on that last part. I was active duty Coast Guard and stationed in Boston when the Boston marathon bombing happened. I knew some of the victims and I very much wanted to donate blood, but because I'd gotten a tattoo in Boston, I couldn't donate. The military does regular screenings for blood infections, and my tattoo shop was spotless and meticulous and sterile, but I couldn't donate my O neg blood. O negative is the universal donor, and what they desperately needed, but I couldn't donate because of a tattoo?!? They DO test the blood, but in emergencies, sometimes, they'd rather save the life and risk it then let someone die on the spot, but that wasn't the case for the bombings. I get being careful, but come on...
In Canada (Montreal at least) I know that you cannot donate if you have been pierced or tattooed in the last 12 months. Among other things as well like traveling abroad, etc. From my understanding the issue was not necessarily hepatitis but rather the tattoo or piercing being fresh is at risk for infection which can be in the bloodstream.
I live in PA and I've never been turned away from donating for any reason aside from having low iron. Admittedly I've never tried within 6mos of being tattooed, but I've given blood the day after getting my lip pierced and was told that as long as I had it done in a clean, licensed shop, it was fine. They have a lot of followup questions when you say you've been tattooed (along with many other disqualifying factors), and it often depends on the answer to those followups that matter.
My school hosted a blood drive and I have 3 tattoos and they told me the only reason I couldn't donate was because not all of them were a year old. But it's good to know that I can't at all in Idaho. I'll keep that in mind the next time I want to donate.
The last time I've checked in Germany you can give blood six moths after you've been tattooed, but this regulations applies also to pierciengs, surgeries etc.
Well that "new" package might be the only thing new about it. Have you read writing on it? If its been autoclave cleaned there is a package to put the needles in and it will state on it this circle will turn brown when clean, something along those lines. If you see an autoclave its because things are getting reused.
I experienced this in AZ. They have a lot of rules for various reasons, mostly medical from what I've seen versus stereotype. I was refused because my piercings were under a year old and the phlebotomist said that some people have trouble healing when they give blood (I wanted to give plasma specifically) and they didn't want to risk me getting hurt. That may apply to tattoos as well. The other issue is, of course, unsterile equipment. If you get a piercing at a mall with a gun, it's more likely you could get some bacteria since the gun itself can't be put in the autoclave (heat sterilizer). Not sure if that applies to the tattooing guns, but it may be a similar concern. Also in medical assisting class, I was taught that I cannot give a shot or take blood on a spot that has a tattoo, so getting the actual blood might be another issue if people have tattoos in the elbow ditches or usual places where they grab blood from. Reason being tattooing causes scar tissue and it's difficult to grab blood or enter a spot with scar tissue.
I've worked for both the American Red Cross as well as United Blood Services and really it depends on the state regulations that the tattoo parlor have to adhere to. In Indiana they have to do things differently than they're required to in other states that aren't on the list. That doesn't mean that those parlors are re-using needles or ink, but just that the state does not regulate them the way they do other states. I hope that this makes sense. My sister tattoos, but not in a shop so she's unregulated and therefore I cannot donate. It's needle sticks in general. I've worked in health care for 16 years and if I get a needle stick then I have to wait a year as well to ensure that I was not infected with anything.
I just got my first tattoo yesterday! Thanks for always inspiring me and encouraging me to educate myself more about tattoos and the best way to go about choosing mine.
I live right outside of Philly and I always hear about this issue. My brother gets tattooed often as well and I have piercings so i was honestly surprised you didn't know before!
My understanding was that you just have to wait 12 months after being tattooed in order to donate blood. I am a PA resident who is tattooed and has also donated blood to the Red Cross. I am not currently eligible, but at the time I gave blood I was not refused because of my existing tattoos.
Great video! For years I wasn't able to donate blood in Washington (state not D.C.) but a change before I moved allowed me to donate. The law was if you were tattooed in the last 12 months in a regulated shop in Washington, Idaho, or Oregon, you could donate.
I'm from Pa and have had to wait to donate bc of my tats. the wait time is 12 months. so you can donate but i guess they assumed, since you cant get a tattoo until youre 16 in pa with a parents permission, that your tattoo would have been too new. I feel its a good thing because of the risks to the blood with how a state like PA doesn't regulate tattoo shops. All of the best ones though, they flash their certifications and allow you to watch them prepare the fresh needles and if you ask to inspect the packages or inks, they have no issue. I have one tattooer I go to and he insists on showing his setting up every time and to every client. i know if PA were be get regulated, 90% of these shops would already be up to or above required regulations
i don't know about the other states, but in PA it just has to be a year after your tattoo/piercing. i suppose these regulations are in place because of these instances happening, but i understand where the confusion can arise. i am a phlebotomy student (blood drawing) and we discussed blood donation in general. i was familiar with this subject cause i am a regular donor. they are veryyyyy strict and cautious about who they take blood from. its absolutely nothing personal, obviously, they just don't want to kill anyone....cause it can happen and has happened before.
Here in Germany you have to wait 4 Months after getting a Piercing or Tattoo before you can donate blood. Then of course you still go through all regular tests before actually getting the needle in your arm.
In South Africa, you have to wait 6 months after you get your piercing or 1 year after your tattoo to donate. I read the rules and they said if you go under procedures with needles then you can donate straight away. My school does blood drives and so after I got my piercing [with a needle] I went to donate, and so after filling out all the paperwork they told me that I couldn’t donate because I got a piercing. When I tried to explain that I got it with a needle, a sterilized needle that was used on no one els, in a sterile environment, with sterile equipment and the lady told me “The gun might have been sterile but the environment was not” And I sat there going ‘Uhhhh, didn’t I just tell you that it was with a needle, and not a gun, and that the environment was sterile?’ And when I explained this again, she looked baffled that you could get a piercing with a needle. I just got up and walked out because I got really irritated, if it is your job to do this stuff, shouldn’t you at least know that there are two ways to get piercings, one of which is in a COMPLETELY STERILE ENVIRONMENT [not in caps because I’m mad, it’s in caps to emphasize it]. I constantly get messages saying that blood donations are needed, but then when I tried to donate I got turned away. So this is my story, and sorry if it sounds stupid, but I just thought that it was so similar to the whole ‘no donating blood, even if it is in a sterile environment’ thing.
i'm also from PA, near pittsburgh. i was told by the blood bank that i can give blood a full year after receiving a tattoo. however, i haven't had a full year break between any tattoos since i started getting them.
I live in Washington state, here there is a question when giving blood that asks if you've gotten a tattoo in the last six months. You answer yes, you're just asked if it was done in a regulated place with clean needles and everything. Say yes and you're good to go.
Hi! I live in Australia, and the Red Cross stipulates that you can donate blood after receiving a tattoo, you just must wait 4 months to do so. The issue I have is that by the time the four months is coming up, I'm really itching to get a new piece! My last tattoo was 6 months ago now, but due to living in a small town, there's no where here for me to donate blood, and I don't have anyone to drive me to the nearest donation center. I'm holding off on a new tattoo because I know how important donating blood is, I just wish it was more accessible. At least I know that having my tattoos doesn't prevent me from helping, I hope those states get up to date with lots of other countries soon!
I was a donor for my sister. I gave a stem cell transplant that takes the place of a standard bone marrow transplant but it does the same thing. I do have a tattoo and live in one of the states mentioned, however it had been over a year and I went through multiple tests before the transplant occured. (And there was a 75% chance I wouldn't be a match so you can imagine they might look the other way if it came down to when I got tattoo). But now after the procedure my sister and I have the same blood DNA. If you can donate please also look into platelet donation as well as blood, they help so much!
I wanted to give blood at the end of my senior year in high school but rejected because I had, had a drug history the year and entered rehab the beginning of my junior year. It really sucked because not only was I clean for over a year and voluntarily did UA tests each week at school to prove I was clean but the Red Cross worker insulted me about being a teen addict.
In Quebec, Canada, we have a new regulation for a few months back, it went from six months since your last tattoo or piercing to three months so now I can donate!
In France here, you have to wait 4 month, I think it's the time the tattoo heals, and making sure your have no infection or disease brought by the tattooing, it is the same delay if you had a surgery. And these regulations are in all the countries being part of the European union.
I'm in Idaho and assumed that every single state had this law. So the new thing that I learned was that other people don't have to wait 12 months to donate. I donate blood every 56 days exactly which is the shortest time you can wait in Idaho. I'm going to get my first tattoo on April 22nd and I plan on donating this next time anyway as long as the tattoo has healed for the chance of infection to go away. I'll just tell them the tattoo is over a year old. I wouldn't dream of doing this..... but they test EVERY. SINGLE. UNIT. of blood for Hepatitis anyway. No matter what. Even during emergency situations. So I feel like they're getting an equally healthy unit of blood they normally get from me, and they're going to spend just as much money and time and effort as they would regardless.
I live in Texas and because of my tattoos and piercings I have not been able to give blood to red cross. This was also after being told by the personnel on the bus that I had already passed the 6-12 months that I would not have been able to donate. I have now been permanently red flagged in their system even though in completely healthy.
Holy shit I had no idea! I live in Utah and it blows my mind I won't be able to give blood anymore once I'm tattooed. I'm not yet but will be soon. I had no idea this was even a thing. Thanks for the heads up!
I live in Pennsylvania and was never asked if I have tattoos (all are covered by clothing) other than being asked if I've had it done in the last 12 months (it's been 3 years since my last tattoo). I have donated multiple times and have never had any issues donating or with my blood.
I live in the Netherlands and the rule here is if you get a tattoo you can't gif blood for 6 months. 1 time I gave blood and the next week I got my first tattoo like that I only missed 1 donation. Now I gif plasma every month. I have no idea how the rules are on plasma but I think the same
I live in (upstate) New York. I have 8 piercings if you include 2 on each of my ears. There was a blood drive at my school about a week and a half after I got my high nostrils done. As I was signing up, they asked about how recent all of my piercings were, and when they found out I had some recent ones, they asked if I had it done in a piercing shop or not. All I had to do was say "yes, it was all sterile" for them to nod their heads and let me proceed. I've donated blood before and the same thing went. Maybe they're more relaxed about piercings?
There was a blood drive at my college and two of the girls in my cosmetology class both have tattoos and the questions they were asked was if they were tattooed in the last six months and if done by a professional since they had to turn down a group of people because they weren't tattooed by a professional.
I work at the blood bank in South Texas. we accept the tattooed so long as they have an open space on the phlebotomy site(anti cubital) and so long as they were fully healed, within a safe state, Texas is safe and so are tattoo conventions no matter where they are.they also only need to document their tattoo if they received it within the last 12 months.
in Michigan, the last 5 years they change to a state regulated tattoo shop, you can donate blood. Yet 8 years or so ago I wanted to do white blood cell one ( you get paid for it, I forgot what it is called), the nurse took one look at my wrist and saw my tattoo. no questions asked, of how old it was, when I got it, nothing; they just said nope can not let you do it.
i live in ohio and just last friday i donated blood. and just in january i got my first tattoo. and i remember vividly the question i was asked on a sheet about it and started worrying i wouldnt be able to donate. and when the lady asked me about my tattoo she specifically asked how long ago did i get it and where. luckily since i got it in state and it had healed and every i was able to donate.
The people from those states are not banned from donating blood for life. They just have to wait 12 months after they get the tattoo. These states just don't regulate the tattoo shops. The shops are not checked by the state to make sure rules are being followed. The people from regulated states don't have to wait because it is assured by the state that sterile practices are used.
Living in California when I was in high school I couldn't donate because I had my nose pierced too recent, but Red Cross has changed here and now it doesn't matter. If you were tattooed or pierced in a licensed shop you can donate blood no matter what, unless you do for a fact know you have hepatitis or your tattoo is infected. But I literally just walked right up and donated, they didn't care that I was tattooed and pierced even if it was within the same year.
It'd be really cool if you could do a TTT on how to plan multiple tattoos in a specific area/limb (e.g. a sleeve). I'm trying to plan a sleeve and struggling to see how the pieces I'd like would fit together, not style wise as everything would be traditional, but around each other.
I was told by my tattoo artist (back in '04) that I wouldn't be able to donate for a year because as part of the healing process trace amounts of the ink can get into the bloodstream and this could pose allergen issues for a recipient. The first few months there is also potential for the site to become infected. Any infection is a risk for blood donation. There was also mention that the regulations were overly strict for red cross because there is no way to accurately screen if ink was professionally done or a 'backyard job' or even potentially a prison piece - the latter types more likely to involve unhygienic practices. Didn't bother me at all since i have a health condition that also makes me unable to donate blood. And TBH I've used my tats as an excuse to not donate ever since given that it's quicker to say 'recent ink' than to spend 5-15 min explaining the health problem.
I find the regulations okay. I'm sure there are people who get clean tattoos but you can never be sure and its hard to restrict specific people when you can't really tell.
Hi Qcknd,
I’m a phlebotomist and I live in Georgia. I wanted to tell you a little bit more information regarding tattooed people and blood donation. Firstly, the American Red Cross does have more strict blood donation regulations, specifically regarding tattoos. However, the Red Cross isn’t the only blood donation agency in the US. In Pennsylvania there are five other agencies, so it’d be good to look at the requirements at each agency because they can vary quite a bit. Here in Georgia most people donate at One Blood, their requirements state that “if you’ve been tattooed in a state licensed facility you may donate once the area is healed, if from an unlicensed facility the wait period is twelve months after receiving the tattoo” (I summarized). This requirement used to be different I believe but was changed recently. Hopefully more blood donation agencies will have similar requirements eventually.
I think it’s important to note that regulations such as these are not targeting pierced or tattooed people, there are many different things that can exclude you from being able to donate or require a wait period before donating. For example, certain medications can exclude you, and if you travel out of the country there may be a wait period. They are extra cautious when it comes to blood because patients who need it are often in a life or death situation. Those who come up with the regulations want to ensure that the possibility of infection/rejection/or death is as small as possible; and unfortunately that excludes a lot of people from donating.
I think it’s great that your friend wanted to donate blood and felt that it’s important. Hopefully regulations regarding tattoos will more like what I said earlier in the future. Thanks to everyone that took the time to read this because I know it’s long, and thanks for bringing up this topic, Qcknd. I hope I helped shed some light.
Sheridan this is a great point! My mother lived in England during the Mad Cow outbreak, and because of that she's permanently unable to donate blood, regardless of whether or not she was ever sick!
I was so sad one time, when i donated and then got diarrhoea a day later. Had to ring them up to tell them to bin it. Disappointing as that was, i'd be horrified if i ever found out my blood was given to an immunosuppressed individual or fragile baby and then they developed diarrhoea which contributed to their death.
Thank you! I know the agency I donate to here in Oklahoma has very similar rules to One Blood. I am very much tattooed and donate when I can.
Sheridan also you probably have to wait if you got a tattoo from a non licensed shop to see if you contested hep c through the tattoo
Georgia peach here as well 🍑
I hope this doesnt come off as rude, but i actually really think that this regulation is ok. I think its important that blood donation drives are extra careful!
Alexandra Richards but they have to test it regardless. So instead of just assuming they could actually tell the donor if they have hepatitis or not.
Shannon Hensley it takes extra tests, more money and more time to test these people on hepatitis too, while that money and time could also be used to actually actively donate and take more blood. It takes up way more time and money then you think to just do one more test.
I wonder if it varies by state, but I just donated blood in New Hampshire last week, don't have any tattoos, and they automatically tested me for Hepatitis (I asked the person drawing my blood which diseases they would test me for, which is how I know)
I think it's a good regulation too. Although, they could also ask for you to be tested for hepatitis before the blood drive as well
Claire Claes No it doesn't every single batch of blood by law has to be tested for all blood born viruses and infections regardless of the person it came from.
Correct title: Why FRESHLY tattooed people are refused to donate blood
Fr lol
Ive had mine for over 4 years and they didnt wanna do it cuz my vein aligned with my tattoo
In the uk you have to wait 2 years after a tattoo before you can give blood
@@sonianevarez1748 the fear there is that ink particles will be picked up while drawing. Ink particles can lodge in the lymph nodes and stay there, y'know.
@@stefp5771 it's 4 months not 2 years
This is honestly a pretty fair regulation. It applies across the globe, and there isn't really a problem. I'm tattooed, and because I can't donate this year at all, I am a volunteer with my university's blood team. There are many ways to get involved, including being a stem cell donor applicant, and ultimately, there are so many ways to help!
You can donate in nz if you have tattoos
Kadie in croatia you can donate blood if you are tattooed but it must passed at least 6 months from you getting tattooed
The regulations are for the American Red Cross, which isn't world wide, I don't think.
The regulations are for the American Red Cross, which isn't world wide, I don't think.
Yeah, but there are regulations regarding wait times after a tattoo for blood donations. Thats my point
I'm not from the US, but here in New Zealand, you have to wait at least 6 months after a piercing to give blood, and it's a year for a tattoo. What's rubs in it even more is the fact that if you get a piercing done at a chemist's, with a piercing gun, you're fine to give blood, even though it's most likely way less clean and professional than if it was done at a piercing place.
hobroke I know right?!
The piercing part is so backwards! WHYYYY?
I think the piercing place does need to get a specific permit though, for tattoo studios though, still a no.
A chemist is another name for a pharmacy here
Pharmacy. and its actually 6 months for a tattoo. I can donate again 5th of April! Woot! Im already booked in.
As someone who receives blood transfusions weekly, I agree with the regulation. It's not any less discriminatory than their other rules. They don't allow people who have left their home country in the past year, for safety purposes. Considering that tattooed people who increase the already-present risk of blood-transmissible illness, I'm thankful that they're being careful. It already sucks to think that my medicine might make me sicker; I'm just glad they're doing their best to minimize the risks.
Rose Teeters There's thousands of healthy people who can't donate blood because of those regulations. I can understand a 6 month ban. But not for life.
Lydia Shultz There are enough people to give blood already with the restrictions in place. Would you rather have a blood transfusion from someone that is almost guaranteed to be safe or have one from a risky donor just because someone felt "unequal".
Rose Teeters I completely agree, I get monthly immunotherapy treatments that consist of the plasma from multiple donors because I have an immune deficiency. Someone donating blood while they have strep throats could kill me, hepatitis isn't something to mess around with. Just because she hasn't experienced poorly regulated tattoos in New York doesn't mean poor hygienic practices don't happen
Amanda Appels I get the same, just weekly! What do you get them for?
Rose Teeters I get hyqvia for common variable immune deficiency! How about you?
In England (and as it seems a couple other counties) there's a four month wait after you've been tattooed. To me that seems fair, I can't understand why people can't give blood if they've been tattooed - it just seems like an unnecessary block.
It's just such a grey area to try and control.
Same in Spain, it used to be a year, now it's four months
tallhannah98 6 months in Poland.
Same in France.
From what I understand, it is because there's a chance ink is in your blood stream...If that gets in with the donated blood and that blood goes in to someone who is allergic to ink, well, you've just screwed that person even more.
Give them blood. blood. gallons of that stuff
Sassy Tyler Joseph boi
Give them all that they can drink cause it will never be enough..
So give them blood, blood, blood. Grab a glass because there's going to be a flood!
GERARD WAY
I was at a tattoo shop where the artist accidentally placed the inside of a neosporin lid on the table and threw out the entire container to avoid any contamination.
So crazy! I live in Georgia, and when I was in my junior and senior year of high school(2011-2013) I often volunteered at Red Cross blood drives with taking care of donators after they gave blood, and I recall the regulation being "if you've had a tattoo done in the last year you can't donate" because some of the diseases that were concerning couldn't be detected if you had a tattoo recently. I was never able to donate at the time as I was underweight, and wasn't allowed. That was four years ago, and now that I am of average weight for my height and age, I was looking forward to finally being able to donate. I wasn't aware the regulations have changed. I am on the fence about this, because personally, I went to one of the best shops in the state, and got my tattoo by an amazing artist who was extremely big on keeping this clean and sterile. In fact, I had to use the restroom during my appointment, and my artist told me if I could wait that would be better, because if not he had to wrap my tattoo, sterilize it, and then when I got back had to unwrap and resterilize it. (We were on the last stretch of the tattoo. I wouldn't have to wait long.) However I also know that a lot of people do stick and pokes in their friends kitchen, share ink, and I really hope they weren't sharing needles... Because of that, I honestly think it's best we aren't able to donate. There's no way to regulate who goes to clean shops, and who gets scratchers. But that's just my opinion on the matter. I have a friend who donates all the time, who is much older than me (in her 40s), who got a tattoo to commemorate her daughter's passing, who I suppose now will never be able to donate to something she's so passionate about. It's very saddening.
Edit** Also I wasn't aware at the time of getting my tattoo that most Onsens in Japan won't allow you in if you have tattoos, because of tattoos being seen as an affiliation with the Yakuza, and that really disappointed me. Haha
The government's not thinking along the lines of reused needles in shops. The fear is in home and unlicensed tattoos being done.
It is really nice to be informed about this! I'm still heartbroken that I cannot donate blood either way due to a blood disorder. But I am happy to be able to educate others :)
Girl your hair looks amazing!!!!
I live in Oregon where the state has the strictest tattoo licensing standards in the country and I can tell you for sure that it makes it way harder to get your tattoo license, but it also makes the standards for every shop WAY higher.
Like you said, you are going to high end shops so of course you are going to have high caliber artists who are making good money, and who use single use materials (which are more expensive), but that's not the case in every little sketchy shop on the block. The main thing is that the Red Cross is making a list of states that don't regulate tattooing at all and saying we can't trust that FOR SURE that every shop has the standards we deem neccesary to trust the blood isn't contiminated. It's definitely not fool proof and it's going to exclude mostly healthy people but the chances of someone getting a blood borne disease from a tattoo in an unregulated state is statistically higher. I would say the problem is more to do with certain states not regulating tattoos at all, meaning literally anyone can pay a fee and get a license, which makes for many a sketchy tattoo artist/shop.
To answer your question about conventions, it also depends on the state. In Oregon where it's super strict, every artist from out of state has to apply for a temporary license proving that their training is comparable to that which they would have to undergo to recieve a license in Oregon, which would thereby prove that their personal safety standards are on par with the laws and regulations in Oregon. Most other states aren't that strict, and just having a license in any US state is enough. I've never been to a convention in any of the states on the list but I'm guessing they're pretty lax, which is why the Red Cross feels they can't be sure enough to accept their blood.
To give you an example of the variance in training for a tattoo license in different states- In Oregon you have to have 300+ hrs of training, including ~150 on skin diseases, contamination and other health issues, do 50 "procedures" that are observed by a licensed tattoo artist, and take a huge two part test at the state level to get your license. In Washington, 1 state away, all you have to do is take a blood borne pathogens class online and pay a fee to get a tattoo license. Obviously this doesn't speak to the caliber of artistry at all, but from a regulatory stance you can see why different states are treated differently.
If I were to hazard a guess about what exact standard they are looking for, I would guess maybe the states on the list don't require even a blood borne pathogens exam for tattoo artists?
SORRY FOR THIS ESSAY!
As a person for the most part outside the tattooing/tattooed community, I really appreciate this insight, even if it is long. (Sometimes it has to be in order to convey the necessary information)
The thing is that legally in a lot of those states you can tattoo yourself at home, or get a tattoo from a friend at their house ect. They can't regulate that or prove that a person doesn't have a tattoo done at home. They can't prove that a tattoo your friend did at home was done in a clean way.
I live in South Africa. Here, you have to wait six months after a tattoo before you can donate blood.
In Canada (specifically Ontario) the wait time after a tattoo or piercing is 6 months. And if I remember correctly you can donate by yourself without parental consent at 16 or 17 years old. I know that I definitely donated at 17 and didn't need my parents there or to sign a waiver for me.
Latraytray that's great news for me
Girl, you're glowing :) So glad to see you feeling better. Could you do a video about your process for maintaining punky-colored hair? Maybe talk about how many washes/week you did, the difference between your red, green, and pinky/purple hair for maintenance. Dos and don'ts for bleaching and stuff. Hope to talk to you sometime !!
Oh my gosh! This purple hair color just makes you glow. It's absolutely perfect for you!
Here in Latvia you can donate blood 4 months after you get a tattoo. I think that is really sensible.
I wonder if it's the same for like cosmetic tattoos or microblading? Because a lot of people don't really consider them to be tattoos but it's basically the same level of regulation?
This is all news to me. I live in Connecticut so this has never been an issue. thank you for the knowledge. I'm glad when you talk about topics you do through research and get secind and third opinions. it makes your discussions valid. Overall I really love this episode.
Can't donate here in SLC, I've been getting tattooed regularly for two years and the Red Cross still leaves me guilt tripping voice mails about needing my blood type.
Breezantines I get they need the type but they shouldn't try shaming you for your body choices.
natalya jm clement it's just an automated message, but it's a bit irritating they still have me on their call list when they don't accept my blood 😕
Breezantines i live just outside of SLC (tooele) and omg, i get 2 phone calls everyday from the red Cross, and they know I can't donate for the next year! it makes me feel so bad
Breezantines same here! I don't know what to do.
Victoria Fredericks you can asked to be removed from the call list and when you donate again. It's your choice to have your number back in the system.
Omg YE BUD with the toy ~tattoo gun~ killed me 😂
I think some of these regulations were made and never really updated. My parents are from Italy and moved to the US in the mid 90s but to this day they cannot donate blood in the US because they were in Europe during the mad cow outbreak. Which is silly because people in Italy donate blood all the time even if they've lived there for decades. I'm guessing rules like this are hard to change so no one does.
I live in the UK. I had 2 tattoos done a month a part and had to wait 4 months after my second before I could donate blood. when I went after the 4 months they asked me about my tattoos and I told her I was aware of the 4 month rule and I had waited to make sure it had been over 4 months just to be safe. she told me that was a good idea and explained that they take samples of the blood to test (this is for a normal donation for anyone) however with it being less that a year for my tattoos that they would take an extra sample with me having tattoos. just to be sure that I didnt have hepatitis or hiv. I can now donate regularly again until I have some more tattoos :)
I have tattoos and I donate blood...
It's like this in Canada as well. I have tattoos and this month will be the first time I can donate blood since 2013 because i've continually gotten tattoos every 5-6 months and here they won't let you give blood if you have been tattooed within 6 months. I understand why they do it and it's all about and precautions but I do admit that it is a bummer. I always want to donate blood and help out but I usually can't because I have been tattooed. I think they should come up with a new law/plan for this but if they don't i'm not too bothered because I do know there are other ways to help. I know this comment won't mean much but I just wanted to contribute with my little two bits here. Really enjoyed this video :) I hope you're happy and that moving in is going more smoothly now. Keep it up girl!
ok but is no one gunna talk about how good that top looks on her??? damn girl
Emma Robinson yasssss slayyy
Emma Robinson lol i really don't like it.
Emma Robinson it is a sexy shirt for sure. too bad her face looks like a foot. I also can't help but to be reminded of a cross between Mr. Bean and Peewee when looking at her
Emma Robinson it doesn't look like she has a bra on tho
Panic!AtTheOof :3 yea I’m trynna see tha whole tiddy
I live in Indiana. I donated blood back in January. I have a large percentage of tattoos, I had just recently had my hands tattooed. They were done in a regulated facility, and they were healed at the time of donation. There was absolutly no issues with me donating. Me and the nurses and everyone literally sat there and talked about our tattoos and piercings.
I live in Nevada and I've always been told I can't donate within the same year but they always said it was because, and I quote, "we don't know you got it in cousin Joe's basement." and that was from a blood donation employee. However, I've also had friends that straight up lied about it and we fought about it because I didn't think it was right to outright lie.
in hawaii the rules are:
You are able to donate if you:
Received your tattoo from a state-regulated tattoo shop (Hawaii is a regulated state)
You are unable to donate if you recently had:
Your tattoo was done in an unlicensed or unregulated tattoo shop or if you had a traditional Hawaiian or Polynesian tattoo done with reusable bone needles
can you talk about tattoos and MRIs? I have a condition where I can develop a tumour. when I go for a MRI I am always asked if I have any. I would really like to get some but want to know what the potential risks are for those who need MRIs . I also heard that there is an ink where you are able to get MRIs
wantstobe asuperhero they should still let you get an MRI if you've had a tattoo. Some tattoo inks have metals in them that will react with the MRI scanner. Tattooing ink isn't regulated so you wouldn't really ever know if you have one of those inks or not--but most inks don't have the specific metals they're concerned about or it's in very small amounts. If you have one of those inks then there's a small chance that your tattoo could heat up during an MRI and cause a burn. There are only a handful of documented cases like this though… and plenty of MRIs done daily on tattooed people, so you're probably OK! I wonder if they just ask so that if you complain of irritation during it they know to stop the scan.
Generally an MRI isn't considered a huge issue...but the techs have to be aware, because it could be a little one. Some (depending on where you are, many) inks contain metals that when exposed to an MRI heat up and burn the flesh they are embedded in. The majority of people would never receive more than some skin irritation, and in the most severe cases a first degree (somewhere akin to a bad sunburn or spilling hot coffee on your leg) or (very rarely) second degree burns. The reason they ask is so that they can be prepared, and so they can make you aware of the possible complications before they start the procedure. But tattoos would not be as popular as they are if people couldn't get a routine procedure like a MRI done! If in doubt, ask next time you go, or call if you won't be in for awhile, they'll be able to give you the best and most relevant advice! (Source: I asked the Radiation Therapy student who lives below me!)
There's no risk at all unless there's metal in the ink. I've gotten MRIs and CTs with tattoos and literally nothing happens. It's a myth.
*Unless* there is metal, and in many inks there is. (also it's obviously not a myth, given that it's on screening questionnaires and is a section in a Rad Therapy textbook). (Also also, a CT scan quite obviously poses no threat, there's nothing to heat the metal...just to clear that up!) Please don't go around saying medical precautions are a myth though, people aren't always the brightest and could get hurt out of ignorance :)
wantstobe asuperhero Basically, if the ink has metal, the ink can be pulled from your skin...Not only is that going to be excruciatingly painful, but it'll also mess up your tattoo.
I never knew about this and I live in Maryland. Just recently got a tattoo so thanks for making me aware about this
don't know if you've already answered this, but where is your shirt from?! its soo cute!!
This is such an interesting topic!! Before this I knew about tattoos but never thought about piercings.... so I did a quick search on the Australian Red Cross page.. In Australia there is a 4 month wait after being tattooed to donate, that also includes cosmetic tattooing. Ear piercings if done with clean, single use disposable equipment limit you to being only able to donate plasma for 24 hrs after. After that you can go back to donating whole blood or platelets. All other piercings limits you to donating plasma for 4 months.
I also live in Australia and can never donate blood because I lived in England in 1994.
Not all tattoos/piercings are done in a shop
In England it is a 6 month wait after a tattoo/ piercing but for me they double checked me for hep B because of my tattoos, and checked my iron levels because of my being a vegetarian. They were super nice about it all, and explained it to me properly. You can also call them in England, if you are already a donor, when you have been tattooed/ pierced and they will contact you when you are okay to donate again which is quite cool.
Not everyone gets tattooed at a parlor, anyone can buy a tattoo kit online and tattoo people from their home. Prisoners get tattoos while serving time, and anyone can lie about where they got it done. I'm sure blood drives take this into account and they just want to be careful to prevent the spread of disease.
My college does a blood drive once a semester and I was finally on campus and available two semesters ago during the drive. I went, waited, filled out all the paper work, got my finger pricked and my iron tested and everything. Then, because I had answered yes to getting a piercing in, I believe, the last year a man asked me where I had gotten the piercing and how long ago. So I told him the name of the tattoo shop and looked through my photos to figure out the exact date I had gotten the piercing. It had been within whatever timeline they set for raising concern and he said the place I got it done wasn't on their approved list. So, I would have to wait and he said it was because an infection could form but he also said if I had gotten it done at somewhere like claire's or piercing pagoda I could give blood. So, I thought this was interesting because apparently they have a list of approved places that they have deemed sanitary enough. It's funny too because the piercing is a nose stud which claire's doesn't do and I would never trust piercing pagoda to do because they use a gun! So, I had no idea this was even a rule and was pretty bummed but encouraged all my friends to donate even though I couldn't.
The quaranteen periods are there for a reason - I'm horrified to hear that people actually lie whime donating blood😠 The rules might be exaggerated, but I prefer overly cautious health experts over taking risks with peoples lives. I sincerely hope people would not lie about their tattoos - it helps noone and doesn't exactly build a picture of us tattooed folk as responsible and trustworthy people.
I'm from Belgium, I donated blood last year. They asked me questions on everything from tattoo, piercing, travel, sex partners, with time frames, past medical issues. I thought I wouldn't give blood that day, that I'd just get questioned and come back another time because both my friends had to wait 3 months, one because of a piercing and the other went on a risky destination for a trip, also she was too skinny. I'm 51kg and 50 is the minimum and I ended up giving blood that day... It was a long day of uni, I was a bit dehydrated unfortunately, they had trouble with keeping the needle in, my blood didn't flow well enough and you can only give for about 10-12 min. Overall not the greatest experience but they were really nice, gave me snacks and drinks, I'll definitely be better prepared for next time I donate. I just have a feeling that they didn't end up using my blood, I'm pretty sure a lot of it gets thrown out because better be safe than sorry. Maybe I'm just making it up but she seemed a bit bumped that I couldn't fill the bag enough etc. At least they didn't contact me to tell me there was something wrong in my blood, I even went back to ask if all my results were okay. So moral of the story: if you haven't been pierced, tattooed, travelled to a more equatorial country, had sex with a "new" partner in the last 6 months and you're not too skinny be prepared, well hydrated and rested and don't go home after with public transports when you're carrying a lot of books but ask for a ride instead... haha I'm so happy I didn't faint #plzlearnfrommymistakes
Qcknd looks soooo cute today, amazing hair, bomb makeup, that top and nails all look amazing.
From what I know... about the tattoo process....
Here in France, time blackout is 4 month btw.
Soooo tattoo is inserting ink under your skin, so basically a wound, it needs time to heal and your body creates antibodies till it's healed... in a blood donation you can't have these in your blood...
Further more, ink migrates for some time after the tattoo was done, and is eliminated by your blood, so in a medical meaning, your blood then is spoiled and they won't take the risk.
On the same thing, in France you can't donate if you had a dentist visit like even a simple cleansing... still for the same reason.
i really wish that i could donate blood but I don't weigh enough for my height
toe Your weight matters??
toe yeah if you dont weigh enough you could pass out
Jazmin L if you're underweight you can't give blood. Typically if your underweight you have low blood pressure. I fall into this category.
Cate Hancock Jessie White Thanks guys!
Jazmin L yeah especially if you're short,, since I'm only 4'11" I would need to weigh more than someone taller. I think if you're a female (ages 16-22) you have to be at least 110 and 5'6" and the weight requirement increases as you get shorter
In addition to any organizational blood donation restrictions. Anesthesiologists, Nurses, Phlebotomists etc. when administering epidurals, medications, obtaining blood, any needle entry into the body will be careful when encountering tattoos. If a tattoo isn't fully healed, red, oozing, swollen, they will look for an alternate location for needle entry into the body. Even with fully healed tattoos in good condition they will look for an opening in the tattoo to minimize the chance of infection or damage to the tattoo. In my experience, finding a location without a tattoo for needle entry is ALWAYS most desirable for the medical professional. Also, a small space or less inked area of an existing fully healed tattoo is an option for heavily tattooed patients. Keep in mind in some emergencies the patient is not able to communicate information about their tattoos.
You'd be really good at a podcast, I'd love to listen to a tattoo related podcast while on the bus or something when I can't watch a video because of no internet, even if it's the audio from a video or something haha ❤
Hey! I'm from Poland and I also wanted to donate blood but, in our system, we have to wait for about half of a year after getting a new piercing or a tattoo. I asked my friend (she's at medical school) why we need to wait for that long and she said that it's connected with getting sure that everything is healed or nearly healed, because of the changes in the immune system during healing process
I think something you are not thinking of is not all people have tattoos at legitimate shops ie Prison or basement tattoos. There is no way a blood donor place would know or could prove where you are getting it from that may be some of the unstated reasons.
Dang girl is this your new apartment? You nailed your filming set up super fast!
Take the hour drive to New jersey to find an artist if donating blood is important to you! I donate all the time and get tattooed regularly
They recently brought down the timeframe in Australia for post tattoo blood donation to four months which is awesome! It makes it so much more accessible.
Darn. I really want to donate blood but I also want a tattoo, so I suppose I'd have to check the regulations in Canada :p
In Canada I think it's six months last time I asked
FlowersOnARazorWire it's a six month wait after any tattoo or piercing and 84 days between donations.
Yeah, a friend of mine had a tattoo done and she has to wait 6 months. At least that's the rule in Ontario
The Doctor yes buy I would like to donate regularly:) thanks everyone for the confirmation!
FlowersOnARazorWire donate Blood THEN get a tattoo :)
In Chile, specifically when it comes to tattoos and donating blood, you can't donate if you have a piercing or a tattoo that's less than 12 months old. My guess? It’s because one is more susceptible to infections when your bodymod is healing and they want to be sure that your wound had time to heal properly. But I’m really curious now if they test the blood after. I would think they have to, right?
I'm from New Hampshire! I'm 16, no tattoos, but cannot donate blood due to my height and weight (5'2", 100 lbs). Although I am not tattooed, i find this video very interesting, and I honestly suspected NH to be on this list, simply because the regulations are so strict. I don't even know what my blood type is! Yet, I can have my blood drawn at the doctors office? Strange concept.
Your weight disqualifies you from blood donation because you likely don't have enough blood volume to spare a whole pint. If you were to donate, the likelihood of you passing out would be quite high. In Indiana, where I live, the minimum weight required is 116lbs.
ditto, I can't give blood cuz i'm similar height and weight as you. In California, I would have to be at least 110 lbs. but at the rate that i'm gaining weight or lack thereof, it seems I won't ever be able to donate. =(
Amanda Bizarro You donate more blood than when it is just drawn if you weigh less it is more likely for you to black out from the amount of blood that is taken out so the rule it is for your safety (all states have this regulation)
Amanda Bizarro Wait you can donate blood at 16?
I'm borderline (5'3 116lbs) and I've passed out twice and puked once while giving blood. It's a lot more than what they do at the Dr but even Dr blood draws make me woozy and cold.
I grew up in Massachusetts and now I live in Pennsylvania, and I never realized this wasn't a country-wide thing. I didn't realize the rule only applied to people from certain states.
If you are gay, you can't donate at all, though....
Elizabeth Killinger that's a ignorant ass thing to say look that shit up first because im gay and I donate blood and my uncles that are gay also donate blood gtfoooo
It isn't - www.huffingtonpost.com/news/gay-blood-donation-ban/. I don't know where you live - but this is something that happens in the US. I don't think it is right and its just as much as bad science as denying tattoo'd individuals because as many other commenters have pointed out - donated blood is run through extensive testing.
Elizabeth Killinger it varies in country to country and it's not all gay people it's men because it says that rule does not affect women who are with another other. women . the whole thing is way more complicated than just "gay people can't donate blood "
Of course it is. Everything is. But saying GTFO, when I was not trying to be rude and am not ignorant of the issue is bs. I was trying to point out that voluntarily getting a tattoo and then not being able to give blood is different than someone being refused due to their sexuality. Stop taking everything so personally.
I work for United blood services, and from what I've learned is it is all regulated by the FDA saying yes or no. And the states change all the time. Arizona used to be an automatic 12 month deferrel, but now you can get a tattoo and donate when it's healed, Nevada used to be the same and now it's changed to a 12 month deferrel. It just depends. And I would suggest always calling and asking because you never know if you are able to or not
You look gorgeous, also that shirt bomb
I'm from Canada and we have the same sort of deal; we cannot donate blood if we've been pierced or tattooed in the last 12 months. And I found out that my scarification is also included in that because the health concerns are still the same; there was still something that broke the surface of my skin. (Really frustrated me too, 'cause I only had a few days left before I was past the 12 month mark!)
im i the only one who gets annoyed by the length of Qcknd her videos, i really like her but girl get to the point.
update: I might've used the wrong words. I don't have a problem with the length of her videos at all, I personally just dislike it that she tells a 15 minute story that could easily be told in under ten minutes. I myself am more into bite sized and to the point information so I don't lose my interest. but then again some people are more into qcknd her calm and collective manor of explaining things. it all comes down to personal preference.
krln_ can't relate
kay x it might be my low attention span
I just love hearing her talk so idc
krln_ don't click on the video then if you don't like how "long" they are, RUclips shows the length of the video before you even click it for that exact reason. And tbh her videos aren't even that long especially as most videos range from 6 minutes to 30 minutes 😒
I really love the length of her videos; I love all the stories and being able to get ready for work with a Qcknd backtrack :)
I live in Adelaide, Australia. We have a similar ruling, however it's 6 months since your last tattoo. They also ask questions if you have taken drugs or used needles for other non medically regulated purposes.
Believe me, I feel your pain on that last part. I was active duty Coast Guard and stationed in Boston when the Boston marathon bombing happened. I knew some of the victims and I very much wanted to donate blood, but because I'd gotten a tattoo in Boston, I couldn't donate. The military does regular screenings for blood infections, and my tattoo shop was spotless and meticulous and sterile, but I couldn't donate my O neg blood. O negative is the universal donor, and what they desperately needed, but I couldn't donate because of a tattoo?!? They DO test the blood, but in emergencies, sometimes, they'd rather save the life and risk it then let someone die on the spot, but that wasn't the case for the bombings. I get being careful, but come on...
In Canada (Montreal at least) I know that you cannot donate if you have been pierced or tattooed in the last 12 months. Among other things as well like traveling abroad, etc. From my understanding the issue was not necessarily hepatitis but rather the tattoo or piercing being fresh is at risk for infection which can be in the bloodstream.
I live in PA and I've never been turned away from donating for any reason aside from having low iron. Admittedly I've never tried within 6mos of being tattooed, but I've given blood the day after getting my lip pierced and was told that as long as I had it done in a clean, licensed shop, it was fine. They have a lot of followup questions when you say you've been tattooed (along with many other disqualifying factors), and it often depends on the answer to those followups that matter.
My school hosted a blood drive and I have 3 tattoos and they told me the only reason I couldn't donate was because not all of them were a year old. But it's good to know that I can't at all in Idaho. I'll keep that in mind the next time I want to donate.
The last time I've checked in Germany you can give blood six moths after you've been tattooed, but this regulations applies also to pierciengs, surgeries etc.
Well that "new" package might be the only thing new about it. Have you read writing on it? If its been autoclave cleaned there is a package to put the needles in and it will state on it this circle will turn brown when clean, something along those lines.
If you see an autoclave its because things are getting reused.
Aprylls NailsNstuff so? the autoclave kills all bacteria
I experienced this in AZ. They have a lot of rules for various reasons, mostly medical from what I've seen versus stereotype. I was refused because my piercings were under a year old and the phlebotomist said that some people have trouble healing when they give blood (I wanted to give plasma specifically) and they didn't want to risk me getting hurt. That may apply to tattoos as well. The other issue is, of course, unsterile equipment. If you get a piercing at a mall with a gun, it's more likely you could get some bacteria since the gun itself can't be put in the autoclave (heat sterilizer). Not sure if that applies to the tattooing guns, but it may be a similar concern. Also in medical assisting class, I was taught that I cannot give a shot or take blood on a spot that has a tattoo, so getting the actual blood might be another issue if people have tattoos in the elbow ditches or usual places where they grab blood from. Reason being tattooing causes scar tissue and it's difficult to grab blood or enter a spot with scar tissue.
I've worked for both the American Red Cross as well as United Blood Services and really it depends on the state regulations that the tattoo parlor have to adhere to. In Indiana they have to do things differently than they're required to in other states that aren't on the list. That doesn't mean that those parlors are re-using needles or ink, but just that the state does not regulate them the way they do other states. I hope that this makes sense.
My sister tattoos, but not in a shop so she's unregulated and therefore I cannot donate. It's needle sticks in general. I've worked in health care for 16 years and if I get a needle stick then I have to wait a year as well to ensure that I was not infected with anything.
I just got my first tattoo yesterday! Thanks for always inspiring me and encouraging me to educate myself more about tattoos and the best way to go about choosing mine.
I live right outside of Philly and I always hear about this issue. My brother gets tattooed often as well and I have piercings so i was honestly surprised you didn't know before!
My understanding was that you just have to wait 12 months after being tattooed in order to donate blood. I am a PA resident who is tattooed and has also donated blood to the Red Cross. I am not currently eligible, but at the time I gave blood I was not refused because of my existing tattoos.
www.redcrossblood.org/donating-blood/eligibility-requirements/eligibility-criteria-topic
Great video! For years I wasn't able to donate blood in Washington (state not D.C.) but a change before I moved allowed me to donate. The law was if you were tattooed in the last 12 months in a regulated shop in Washington, Idaho, or Oregon, you could donate.
I'm from Pa and have had to wait to donate bc of my tats. the wait time is 12 months. so you can donate but i guess they assumed, since you cant get a tattoo until youre 16 in pa with a parents permission, that your tattoo would have been too new. I feel its a good thing because of the risks to the blood with how a state like PA doesn't regulate tattoo shops. All of the best ones though, they flash their certifications and allow you to watch them prepare the fresh needles and if you ask to inspect the packages or inks, they have no issue. I have one tattooer I go to and he insists on showing his setting up every time and to every client. i know if PA were be get regulated, 90% of these shops would already be up to or above required regulations
i don't know about the other states, but in PA it just has to be a year after your tattoo/piercing. i suppose these regulations are in place because of these instances happening, but i understand where the confusion can arise.
i am a phlebotomy student (blood drawing) and we discussed blood donation in general. i was familiar with this subject cause i am a regular donor. they are veryyyyy strict and cautious about who they take blood from. its absolutely nothing personal, obviously, they just don't want to kill anyone....cause it can happen and has happened before.
Here in Germany you have to wait 4 Months after getting a Piercing or Tattoo before you can donate blood. Then of course you still go through all regular tests before actually getting the needle in your arm.
In South Africa, you have to wait 6 months after you get your piercing or 1 year after your tattoo to donate. I read the rules and they said if you go under procedures with needles then you can donate straight away. My school does blood drives and so after I got my piercing [with a needle] I went to donate, and so after filling out all the paperwork they told me that I couldn’t donate because I got a piercing. When I tried to explain that I got it with a needle, a sterilized needle that was used on no one els, in a sterile environment, with sterile equipment and the lady told me “The gun might have been sterile but the environment was not” And I sat there going ‘Uhhhh, didn’t I just tell you that it was with a needle, and not a gun, and that the environment was sterile?’ And when I explained this again, she looked baffled that you could get a piercing with a needle. I just got up and walked out because I got really irritated, if it is your job to do this stuff, shouldn’t you at least know that there are two ways to get piercings, one of which is in a COMPLETELY STERILE ENVIRONMENT [not in caps because I’m mad, it’s in caps to emphasize it]. I constantly get messages saying that blood donations are needed, but then when I tried to donate I got turned away. So this is my story, and sorry if it sounds stupid, but I just thought that it was so similar to the whole ‘no donating blood, even if it is in a sterile environment’ thing.
When I say procedures with needles, I don’t mean tattooing but other stuff like acupuncture.
i'm also from PA, near pittsburgh. i was told by the blood bank that i can give blood a full year after receiving a tattoo. however, i haven't had a full year break between any tattoos since i started getting them.
I live in Washington state, here there is a question when giving blood that asks if you've gotten a tattoo in the last six months. You answer yes, you're just asked if it was done in a regulated place with clean needles and everything. Say yes and you're good to go.
Hi! I live in Australia, and the Red Cross stipulates that you can donate blood after receiving a tattoo, you just must wait 4 months to do so. The issue I have is that by the time the four months is coming up, I'm really itching to get a new piece! My last tattoo was 6 months ago now, but due to living in a small town, there's no where here for me to donate blood, and I don't have anyone to drive me to the nearest donation center. I'm holding off on a new tattoo because I know how important donating blood is, I just wish it was more accessible. At least I know that having my tattoos doesn't prevent me from helping, I hope those states get up to date with lots of other countries soon!
I was a donor for my sister. I gave a stem cell transplant that takes the place of a standard bone marrow transplant but it does the same thing.
I do have a tattoo and live in one of the states mentioned, however it had been over a year and I went through multiple tests before the transplant occured. (And there was a 75% chance I wouldn't be a match so you can imagine they might look the other way if it came down to when I got tattoo).
But now after the procedure my sister and I have the same blood DNA.
If you can donate please also look into platelet donation as well as blood, they help so much!
I wanted to give blood at the end of my senior year in high school but rejected because I had, had a drug history the year and entered rehab the beginning of my junior year. It really sucked because not only was I clean for over a year and voluntarily did UA tests each week at school to prove I was clean but the Red Cross worker insulted me about being a teen addict.
In Quebec, Canada, we have a new regulation for a few months back, it went from six months since your last tattoo or piercing to three months so now I can donate!
In France here, you have to wait 4 month, I think it's the time the tattoo heals, and making sure your have no infection or disease brought by the tattooing, it is the same delay if you had a surgery. And these regulations are in all the countries being part of the European union.
I'm in Idaho and assumed that every single state had this law. So the new thing that I learned was that other people don't have to wait 12 months to donate.
I donate blood every 56 days exactly which is the shortest time you can wait in Idaho. I'm going to get my first tattoo on April 22nd and I plan on donating this next time anyway as long as the tattoo has healed for the chance of infection to go away. I'll just tell them the tattoo is over a year old.
I wouldn't dream of doing this..... but they test EVERY. SINGLE. UNIT. of blood for Hepatitis anyway. No matter what. Even during emergency situations. So I feel like they're getting an equally healthy unit of blood they normally get from me, and they're going to spend just as much money and time and effort as they would regardless.
I live in Texas and because of my tattoos and piercings I have not been able to give blood to red cross. This was also after being told by the personnel on the bus that I had already passed the 6-12 months that I would not have been able to donate. I have now been permanently red flagged in their system even though in completely healthy.
Holy shit I had no idea! I live in Utah and it blows my mind I won't be able to give blood anymore once I'm tattooed. I'm not yet but will be soon. I had no idea this was even a thing. Thanks for the heads up!
I live in Pennsylvania and was never asked if I have tattoos (all are covered by clothing) other than being asked if I've had it done in the last 12 months (it's been 3 years since my last tattoo). I have donated multiple times and have never had any issues donating or with my blood.
I live in the Netherlands and the rule here is if you get a tattoo you can't gif blood for 6 months. 1 time I gave blood and the next week I got my first tattoo like that I only missed 1 donation. Now I gif plasma every month. I have no idea how the rules are on plasma but I think the same
I live in (upstate) New York. I have 8 piercings if you include 2 on each of my ears. There was a blood drive at my school about a week and a half after I got my high nostrils done. As I was signing up, they asked about how recent all of my piercings were, and when they found out I had some recent ones, they asked if I had it done in a piercing shop or not. All I had to do was say "yes, it was all sterile" for them to nod their heads and let me proceed. I've donated blood before and the same thing went. Maybe they're more relaxed about piercings?
There was a blood drive at my college and two of the girls in my cosmetology class both have tattoos and the questions they were asked was if they were tattooed in the last six months and if done by a professional since they had to turn down a group of people because they weren't tattooed by a professional.
I work at the blood bank in South Texas. we accept the tattooed so long as they have an open space on the phlebotomy site(anti cubital) and so long as they were fully healed, within a safe state, Texas is safe and so are tattoo conventions no matter where they are.they also only need to document their tattoo if they received it within the last 12 months.
in Michigan, the last 5 years they change to a state regulated tattoo shop, you can donate blood. Yet 8 years or so ago I wanted to do white blood cell one ( you get paid for it, I forgot what it is called), the nurse took one look at my wrist and saw my tattoo. no questions asked, of how old it was, when I got it, nothing; they just said nope can not let you do it.
i live in ohio and just last friday i donated blood. and just in january i got my first tattoo. and i remember vividly the question i was asked on a sheet about it and started worrying i wouldnt be able to donate. and when the lady asked me about my tattoo she specifically asked how long ago did i get it and where. luckily since i got it in state and it had healed and every i was able to donate.
The people from those states are not banned from donating blood for life. They just have to wait 12 months after they get the tattoo. These states just don't regulate the tattoo shops. The shops are not checked by the state to make sure rules are being followed.
The people from regulated states don't have to wait because it is assured by the state that sterile practices are used.
Living in California when I was in high school I couldn't donate because I had my nose pierced too recent, but Red Cross has changed here and now it doesn't matter. If you were tattooed or pierced in a licensed shop you can donate blood no matter what, unless you do for a fact know you have hepatitis or your tattoo is infected. But I literally just walked right up and donated, they didn't care that I was tattooed and pierced even if it was within the same year.
It'd be really cool if you could do a TTT on how to plan multiple tattoos in a specific area/limb (e.g. a sleeve). I'm trying to plan a sleeve and struggling to see how the pieces I'd like would fit together, not style wise as everything would be traditional, but around each other.
I was told by my tattoo artist (back in '04) that I wouldn't be able to donate for a year because as part of the healing process trace amounts of the ink can get into the bloodstream and this could pose allergen issues for a recipient. The first few months there is also potential for the site to become infected. Any infection is a risk for blood donation.
There was also mention that the regulations were overly strict for red cross because there is no way to accurately screen if ink was professionally done or a 'backyard job' or even potentially a prison piece - the latter types more likely to involve unhygienic practices.
Didn't bother me at all since i have a health condition that also makes me unable to donate blood. And TBH I've used my tats as an excuse to not donate ever since given that it's quicker to say 'recent ink' than to spend 5-15 min explaining the health problem.
I find the regulations okay. I'm sure there are people who get clean tattoos but you can never be sure and its hard to restrict specific people when you can't really tell.