There is no direct contact between your blood and the cell separator. The entire process of donating platelets takes about two hours. The procedure is longer than a regular whole blood donation, because it takes more time to separate and collect the platelets from the other components in your blood. You will only feel a slight pinch when one of the two needles is placed into each arm. There are a few side effects which may occur.
Some donors feel a slight tingling around their lips and nose when they donate platelets.
This is a mild reaction to the blood anticoagulant used during the procedure. The nurse can correct this by adjusting the instrument. Some donors feel a slight chill during donation because the blood is cooler when it is returned. Thus, you can donate platelets as frequently as twice a week. However, you cannot donate platelets more than 24 times a year, and you must wait eight weeks following a whole blood donation to give platelets.