Props to LifeStream, who have caught up with times and changed their policy regarding donating blood with tattoos for the better.
The change, which went into effect on September 1st, does away with the old rules that made someone wait for an entire year to donate blood after getting inked.
“Since the 2012 implementation of the “Safe Body Art Act” in California, body art establishments are required to register with local enforcement agencies and meet strict criteria, including the use of sterile needles and non-reused ink. This has made the process safe in the eyes of most California blood banks,” said Joe Chaffin, M.D., vice president, chief medical officer for LifeStream on the company’s website.
Now, to be eligible to donate blood:
- Tattoos would have been applied at a professional licensed establishment within the state of California.
- The area(s) most recently tattooed must be fully healed from the procedure.
- The potential donor must satisfy all other screening and physical requirements set forth by the FDA.
LifeStream has a donor center at 79-215 Corporate Centre Drive in La Quinta. You can find other locations here.
Labor Day weekend, donors get a free movie ticket.
