You can donate plasma up to twice a week, with at least one day between donations. This is the standard allowed by the FDA and most private plasma donation centers, which means you can donate plasma as often as every 3-4 days

. The American Red Cross, however, only allows plasma donation once every 28 days (up to 13 times per year), which is more conservative than private centers

. The reason you can donate plasma more frequently than whole blood is that during plasma donation, only the plasma is taken while red blood cells and other components are returned to your body. Plasma regenerates quickly, usually within 24 to 48 hours, allowing for more frequent donations without compromising safety

. However, frequent donations may affect plasma quality, so it is advisable to donate under medical supervision to monitor your health

. Also, factors such as recent surgery, tattoos, or piercings can temporarily defer you from donating

. In summary:

• FDA and private centers: up to 2 times per week (with at least 1 day gap)

• American Red Cross: once every 28 days (up to 13 times per year)

This frequency ensures donor safety while maintaining a steady plasma supply for medical needs.