Redheads only make up a small portion of the world’s population. But they have some rather interesting traits because of their hair color, including how they handle anesthesia & how their skin makes vitamin D. Here are twelve fiery facts that make redheads unique. Which fact surprised you the most?
Higher general anesthesia needs
Redheads often need more anesthesia than those with other hair colors. Yes, really. Studies have found that redheads require approximately 20% more anesthesia to stay fully under.
Any doctor who’s worked with redheads will confirm that. The cause? It’s because of the MC1R gene that redheads have. It makes their hair red & also affects their body chemistry.
Greater dental fear & avoidance
Redheads often skip dentist appointments more often. There’s a reason for that. It’s likely due to them requiring more anesthesia to actually numb their teeth & they still feel pain sometimes after.
Many redheads dread going to the dentist due to their unique MC1R gene. Their biology makes local anesthetics far less effective.
Pain sensitivity and opioid response
Redheads experience pain a little differently than brunettes or blondes. The same gene that gives their hair its color has an effect on their brain receptors, specifically the parts that control pain & endorphins.
Colder temperatures often sting redheads more. The heat also affects them more quickly. However, it also turns out that they respond to opioid analgesics (a kind of painkiller) better. How weird is that?
Higher Vitamin D levels
One of the greatest benefits of being a redhead is that you’ll likely have higher vitamin D levels. Even with less sun exposure, a redhead’s skin appears to make vitamin D more efficiently.
Their bodies developed this to deal with living in cloudy places. Being able to make more natural vitamin D makes up for burning faster. At least, a bit.
Redheads are uncommon worldwide
Red hair really isn’t that common. Only around 1-2% of people on Earth are naturally redheaded, the highest concentration of which is in Ireland & Scotland. But there are MC1R variants across the world.
The chances of being a redhead are quite low overall, and it makes those who are redheaded rather special.
Possible greater risk of Parkinson’s
It’s not all good news for redheads. Scientists have debated for many years about whether redheads have a higher chance of developing Parkinson’s disease when they get older.
There’s no research confirming the risk definitively. But researchers believe that the MC1R gene could affect redheads’ brain cells.
Fewer moles, more freckles
Most redheads have many freckles. But not many moles. Freckles come from small bursts of pigments on the skin & the gene that makes a redhead’s freckles stand out actually makes them grow fewer moles, too.
Dermatologists have seen the same pattern all the time. It’s one of the perks that comes with having red hair.
The difference in hair
You may have noticed that red hair is a little thicker than other colors of hair. Redheads also don’t have as much hair on their heads, and have only around ninety thousand strands in total.
The average non-redhead has around 150,000. Since they have fewer strands of hair, their body makes their hair thicker to compensate.
Worse burn injuries
A redhead’s immune system works differently from a non-redhead after a serious burn. Unfortunately, the changes in their body cause healing to slow down. It also makes scarring worse.
Many doctors have seen a higher rate of infection in natural redheads after they’ve suffered a major burn, and it’s because of variants in the MC1R gene.
Poor laser hair removal
Lasers often struggle with red hair because the technology relies on dark pigment in the hair’s root. Redheaded people have red follicles.
They simply don’t have enough dark pigment for the lasers to work effectively, even after several sessions. Most redheads have to use electrolysis or other devices instead.
Red lips
Yes, a redhead’s pigment goes beyond their hair. The pigment is called pheomelanin, and it’s present throughout all of their bodies, including the lips & nipples.
They have more of the pigment everywhere. It’s part of the reason why part of their skin usually looks lighter and has a different hue than those with different hair colors.
Lower prostate cancer risk
Men with naturally red hair seem to have a lower risk of prostate cancer. It’s not clear why. One long-term study found that these individuals have half the risk of developing prostate cancer than those with light brown hair.
The results stayed the same after they took other factors into account. Perhaps it’s our good friend MC1R again?
Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.
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