Red hair is rare in the United States, making the color not only different, but also an opportunity for stereotyping. Common stereotypes related to redheads include clownish, weird, unattractive, flaring temper, pale and Irish.
For starters, redheads typically have fair complexions and are more susceptible to sunburn and skin cancer. Some people with red hair also experience pain differently, or they can look older than they are. At the same time, redheads are better at manufacturing vitamin D and have a lower prostate cancer risk.
Previous studies had shown that redheads inherit two versions of the MC1R gene that leads to red hair – one from their mum and one from their dad. Although almost everyone with red hair has two copies of the red-haired version of MC1R, not everyone carrying two red-haired versions is a redhead.
While scientific studies found no evidence to support these views, some physical traits are indeed characteristic of redheads: they have lower pain tolerance and require larger doses of painkillers, and even anesthetics.
Less than 2 percent of the world's population has red hair, making it the rarest hair color in the world. It's the result of the mutated MC1R gene. If both parents carry that gene, their child has a 25% chance of getting lovely, red locks, even if the parents don't have red hair themselves.
Lifespan: up to 20 years in captivity, 5-10 years in the wild. Special Adaptations: Males have an elaborate courtship dance where they throw back their heads, almost touching their tail!
Having red hair and blue eyes is the rarest hair/eye color combination possible. The odds of a person having both of those recessive traits is around 0.17%. Instead, most redheads have brown, hazel or green eyes, according to Medical Daily.
As a group, redheads seem to be more likely to develop certain health conditions and have certain health risks. These include: Increased skin cancer risk. Altered sensitivity to pain.
Still, all reds have to deal with more than their share of stereotypes - the sexy siren, the goofball clown, the devilish prankster, the bullied weakling. "Red hair is something you must live up to," said Marion Roach, author of "The Roots of Desire," a book on redheads.
Pheomelanin ranges from red to pink. Redheads have much more pheomelanin than eumelanin in their bodies. That's why their skin tone is often so light, and why their hair is often reddish.
Hair Color
Gingers are born with orange hair, meaning that someone who dyes their hair red or orange is not a ginger. Redheads have red hair, either from dye or naturally. Redheads can also be born with red hair, but it may fall more on the reddish-brown side than the orange side.
And when you meet a red head with blue eyes, you are looking at the rarest colour combination of all for human beings. Around 17 per cent of people have blue eyes, and when combined with 1-2 per cent having red hair, the odds of having both traits are around 0.17 per cent.
Redheads are harder to sedate, but they have a different tolerance for pain, says UCI Health pain management specialist Dr. Shalini Shah. “Classic anesthesia literature has documented that redheads require more anesthesia,” she says.
Without question, the countries of Ireland and Scotland have the highest percentage of people with naturally red hair. However, precisely what those percentages are and which country's percentage is ultimately the highest is a bit less clear. People with red hair are treated differently in many cultures.
It's been proven that people with ginger hair don't go grey, but instead retain their natural pigment for much longer than any blonde or brunette counterparts. Red hair simply fades with age, covering a whole spectrum of copper and rosy-blonde colours until it reaches a silvery-white.
Natural redheads usually have fair skin with cool undertones, and it's a stunning combination. So if you have cool skin tones, opt for a natural auburn or mahogany shade.
One of the many facts about redheads is that their hair will never turn grey. The pigment in their hair that causes it to be red will just fade over time, causing their hair to turn blonde or white, but never grey.
Redheads might have less damage/signs of aging
This means that there is a reduced risk of sun damage and early signs of aging in the skin of redheads. This means our skin stays youthful for longer, helping us appear younger.
Every generation will carry the ginger gene, though in your families recent history (until you were born) the gene was recessive, hence your parents and grandparents didn't have ginger hair. There's around 25% chance that your children will have ginger hair.
Most redheads have a gene mutation called MC1R. This type of gene must be carried by both parents in order for a child to potentially be born with red hair. Lots of people carry the gene but don't have red hair themselves. This is often why we see red hair skipping a generation or even multiple generations.
They may be more sensitive to certain types of pain and can require higher doses of some pain-killing medications. However, studies suggest that their general pain tolerance may be higher. People with red hair also respond more effectively to opioid pain medications, requiring lower doses.
6. People with red hair are more likely to be left-handed. Recessive traits often happen in pairs so commonly people with the gene for red hair also possess the trait for left-handedness.