DEFER:

• For 4 months after a tattoo (even if removal by laser treatment has commenced within that time).

REMOVAL OF TATTOO

ACCEPT

• Accept on the day following treatment if undergoingremoval by laser unless removal has commenced within 4 months of getting tattoo.

DEFER

• For 4 months after removal by serum injections.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Tattoos have passed infection from person to person. Waiting four months helps to ensure that infections tested for by the IBTS will be picked up. Tattoos can be removed by laser treatment or by serum injections containing organic material. Some forms of “semi permanent make-up” are tattoos. See COSMETIC TREATMENT. Traditional henna painting (also known as mehndi or hina) is sometimes referred to as tattooing but do not involve skin piercing and do not represent a transfusion hazard. The dye binds permanently with proteins in the skin and so the effect can last several months.

Directive 2004/33/EC has a legislative requirement that prospective donors with an exposure to risk of acquiring a transfusion-transmissible infection from a tattoo are deferred for 6months, or for 4months provided a NAT test for hepatitis C is negative.