Can I donate blood if I got a piercing?
What this means
- Single-use, sterile equipment at a regulated facility: usually no wait.
- Reusable equipment, or a state that does not regulate shops: wait about three months.
- Piercing guns that are not single-use often trigger a wait.
What to do next
If your piercing used single-use equipment at a licensed shop, you may be able to donate now.
When to call the center: Call if you are not sure what equipment was used.
If you need to wait
Three months when equipment was reusable or the shop is unregulated.
Exact timing is confirmed by the center. Set a reminder so you do not have to track it.
Set a return reminderWhy this rule exists
Single-use equipment removes the small infection risk that drives the waiting period.
This is general educational guidance, not a final eligibility decision. Donation centers make final eligibility decisions during confidential screening. Rules may vary by center, donation type, location, and current policy.
Were you already turned away for this reason? See the comeback plan
Find a place to donate
Search by city, ZIP, state, or center name, or use your location to see the closest centers.
Related questions
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Read the full pledgeSources and review
The guidance on this page reflects published criteria from these organizations. Eligibility and procedures vary by center and country, so confirm specifics with your donation center.
- American Red Cross
- AABB (Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies)
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Blood Donation
- Canadian Blood Services
- Last reviewed:
- Next review due:
- Reviewed by:
- Reviewed against American Red Cross, AABB, and U.S. FDA donor guidance
- Confidence:
- High confidence