Pain Tolerance
It might be surprising to hear, but there have been studies that have shown that redheads have a higher pain tolerance than people with other colors of hair. You wouldn’t expect that hair color would have any effect on pain tolerance, but some studies have shown redheads can tolerate pain much more than others.
Pain Tolerance
Temperature Changes
Though redheads are less sensitive to pain, a 2005 study from the University of Louisville showed that redheads are actually more sensitive to changes in temperatures due to the redhead gene MC1R. The study suggested that they might be able to detect changes in temperature before anyone else. Maybe more redheads should be weather forecasters?
Temperature Changes
Less Vitamin D
Interestingly, redheads can also survive with less vitamin D from the sun than others. The reason why is that many redheads are from European descent, and so their skin is used to colder and cloudier climates. In turn, their bodies create more vitamin D on their own than people from sunnier locations that require more time outside to get more vitamin D.
Less Vitamin D
They Get More Laughs
Interestingly, dating back to the 19th century, people found redheads to be funnier than others, which is why so many clowns will put on a red wig. Several studies done at the University of Buffalo found that people perceived clowns with red wigs to be funnier than those wearing other colors.
They Get More Laughs
Perceived As More Intimately Active
While there is not as much research to back this one up, some people claim that redheaded people are perceived as more active when it comes to intimacy. There is some evidence done by Dr. Werner Habermehl that supports this, but there have not been any conclusive studies done to prove it.
Perceived As More Intimately Active
Diverse Group
Many people associate having red hair as a trait that’s exclusive to caucasians, but the reality is that there are redheads in many different races all over the world. While there are a lot of redheads in Northern Europe and parts of Russia, there are genetic mutations across Asia, Africa, and South America that make it possible for redheads to be born everywhere. Morocco is home to a large population of redheads.
Diverse Group
TV Commercials
While redheads are very rare, if you were only going by TV commercials, you might think that they’re more common than they actually are. A report done by Upstream Analysis in 2014 found that at least 30% of commercials aired on TV during prime time have at least one redhead featured in them. CBS even holds a record for including a redhead in a commercial every 106 seconds. That’s a lot of red hair!
TV Commercials
Less Than 2%
So just how rare are redheads? Well, studies have shown that just 1-2% of the population are born with natural red hair, which is a shockingly small amount of the world’s population. Redheads are more commonly found in Western Europe, with Scotland having the highest number of redheads, with 13% of its population having red hair. About 10% of Ireland’s population is naturally red haired, and in the United States that number stands at 2%.
Less Than 2%
Less Hair
Interestingly enough, redheads are more likely to have less hair than the rest of the population, and in particular, they seem to have less hair on the top of their heads specifically. Redheads will have about 90,000 hairs on their heads, while blondes will have an average of 110,000 and brunettes have 140,000 on average.
Less Hair
No Greying Out
While redheads might have fewer hairs on their head, the advantage they have on everyone is that their natural hair pigment lasts longer than other colors of hair do. Red hair fades more slowly and becomes more of a faded copper, and then rosy blonde, and only after that it turns silver. You win some, you lose some!
No Greying Out
National Redhead Day
There are many national days dedicated to random events, objects, and even people. It makes sense that there’s a day dedicated to redheads, since they’re so rare! In the U.S., November 5th is “Love Your Red Hair Day.” The day is also celebrated in other countries around the world. It was created to help redheads appreciate their natural hair and feel included.
National Redhead Day
Many Shades Of Red
As you’ve probably noticed, there are many different shades of red hair, with varying degrees of light and dark shades, as well as a variation in vibrance of the red color. In general, there are 6 different hues that start with pale strawberry blonde and go all the way to a dark auburn color.
Many Shades Of Red
British Isles Last Names
A lot of common British Isles last names actually signify a specific color of red hair that was prominent in that particular family. For example, the name Flannery is connected to red hair, and it refers to red eyebrows. Another common last name, Flynn, is also connect to the meaning of bright red. The last name Reid has an exact definition of “red haired person.”
British Isles Last Names
In Danger Of Extinction
There have been several studies conducted that the red hair gene is continuing to become more and more rare, and that there’s a possibility that it could be completely gone by the year 2060. There are some scientists that disagree with this prediction, saying that the gene can remain dormant and remerge in a different generation. Only time will tell!
In Danger Of Extinction
Dark Hair To Red, Naturally
In very rare cases, people can have a condition called Kwashiorkor due to protein deficiencies. The condition is associated with dry skin, rashes, and edema, and dark hair will eventually turn red. This was first seen in 1932, when children’s hair changed color and attention was drawn to this condition.
Dark Hair To Red, Naturally
At Higher Risk
Several studies have shown that people with red hair are at higher risk of some diseases like skin cancer, brain disorders, and Parkinson’s. Since redheads are more likely to have the MC1R gene, this means that redheads are more likely to develop Parkinson’s than people with different colored hair.
At Higher Risk
More Anesthesia Than Average
Perhaps this is related to the differing pain threshold that redheads have, but one study has shown that redheaded females require at least 19-20% more anesthesia in order to be sedated while compared to others. The mutation that is associated with the pain threshold is the cause of this. Redheads also need more topical anesthetics like Novocaine or Lidocaine than others to feel the same effect.
More Anesthesia Than Average
Many Famous Redheads
While redheads are very rare, there are many well known redheads throughout history, many of which have been very prominent and influential. These include historical figures like Cleopatra, Napoleon Bonaparte, Galileo Galilei, Vincent Van Gogh, and Thomas Jefferson. There are also many current day celebrities who proudly wear their natural red hair.
Many Famous Redheads
The First Redhead
While there are many myths and legends about when and where redheads first originated, one of the best known accounts tells the story of a prince named Idon of Mu. The story goes that he became a redhead after visiting the city of Atlantis after running away from his hometown. He was drawn to the red pigment that was all over the sky. His hair turned into the same color, and all of his descendants had red hair as well.
The First Redhead
A Strange Belief
There are many myths associated redheads, perhaps they are so rare. Another strange one was the belief many people in Medieval times used to think. This belief was that children with red hair were conceived while their mother was on that time of the month. They believed that the blood contaminated the man’s sexual organ and resulted in the baby being born with red hair. Of course, this has been completely debunked and it’s now funny to think that people believed this.
A Strange Belief
Red Hair and Blue Eyes
People born with natural red hair are rare, but those who are born with red hair and blue eyes are even rarer. Some studies have shown that the chance of having both natural red hair and blue eyes is only 0.17% . Both traits are recessive, so being born with both is incredibly uncommon. In order for a baby to be born with blue eyes and red hair, both parents must carry the MC1R gene and the blue eye gene.
Red Hair And Blue Eyes
Isla Fisher
We can’t talk about redheads without discussing some of the most famous ones in Hollywood. One of the most well known redheads in Hollywood is Isla Fisher, the Australian actress who is best known for her role in films like Scooby-Doo, Wedding Crashers, Confessions of a Shopaholic, I Heart Huckabees, and in TV series Arrested Development.
Isla Fisher
Debra Messing
Debra Messing is a talented actress who first got started in the industry on Ned and Stacey and Prey before landing her breakout role on Will & Grace, on which she played Grace Adler from 1998 until 2006 and then again from 2017 until 2020. She was nominated for seven Golden Globes and five Primetime Emmy Awards for the role.
Debra Messing
Jayma Mays
Jayma Mays is best known for playing the role of Emma Pillsbury on the Fox series Glee from 2009 until 2015. She later appeared in films like Red Eye, Paul Blart: Mall Cop, and The Smurfs. She then appeared in TV shows like The Millers, Heroes, and Trial & Error.
Jayma Mays
Alyson Hannigan
Alyson Hannigan has been acting since she was just 11 years old. She appeared in many films and TV shows before landing her first major role on Buffy the Vampire Slayer as Willow Rosenberg. She then played Lily Aldrin on How I Met Your Mother from 2005 until 2014. Most recently she voiced the role of Claire Clancy in Fancy Nancy from 2018 until 2022.
Alyson Hannigan
Maitland Ward
Maitland Ward is an actress and model that first starred on The Bold and the Beautiful and later gained prominence on the ABC sitcom Boy Meets World seasons 6 and 7. In 2007, she retired from acting and since 2019, she has turned to adult films.
Maitland Ward
Bonnie Wright
Bonnie Wright is an English actress who is best known for playing Ginny Weasley in the Harry Potter film franchise. After the final Potter series, she appeared in many indie films like Before I Sleep, The Sea, and After the Dark. She also opened her own production company and began directing films like Separate We Come, Separate We Go. She is also an environmental activist.
Bonnie Wright
Laura Prepon
Laura Prepon is an actress who first became well known for playing Donna Pinciotti on the hit sitcom That 70’s Show from 1998 until 2006. From 2013 until 2019, she played Alex Vause on the Netflix original series Orange Is The New Black. She later appeared in films like Southlander, Come Early Morning, Lay the Favorite, The Girl on the Train, and The Hero.
Laura Prepon
Julianne Moore
Julianne Moore is an actress who has had quite the prolific career. She has starred in films like Nine Months, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, Boogie Nights, The End of the Affair, Far From Heaven, The Hours, The Big Lebowski, Hannibal, The Kids Are Alright, Crazy Stupid Love, Still Alive, The Hunger Games, and Kingsman: The Golden Circle.
Julianne Moore
Tilda Swinton
Tilda Swinton is a talented actress known for her many avant garde roles in independent films as well as blockbuster films. She has appeared in films like Caravaggio, The Last of England, Orlando, Vanilla Sky, Adaptation, We Need To Talk About Kevin, The Chronicles of Narnia, Moonrise Kingdom, The Grand Budapest Hotel, and The French Dispatch.
Tilda Swinton
Cynthia Nixon
Cynthia Nixon is best known for playing Miranda Hobbes on Sex and the City and in its sequel series And Just Like That. The role earned her a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. She also played the role in the two films based on the show. She has also starred in other projects like Amadeus, James White, and A Quiet Passion.
Cynthia Nixon
Bryce Dallas Howard
Bryce Dallas Howard is an actress and director who first appeared in the M. Night Shyamalan film The Village in 2004 and later appeared in another one of his films, Lady in the Water. She became very well known for her role as Claire Dearing in Jurassic World, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, and Jurassic World Dominion. Her father is Ron Howard.
Bryce Dallas Howard
Ron Howard
Speaking of Ron Howard, he first became known for playing Opie on The Andy Griffith Show when he was just a boy. He later played Richie Cunningham on Happy Days, and went on to become a director and producer, working on films like Night Shift, Splash, Cocoon, Willow, A Beautiful Mind, Apollo 13, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Da Vinci Code, and many more.
Ron Howard
Molly Ringwald
Molly Ringwald is an actress who first became known for her role on The Facts of Life and later became a teen sensation when she starred in several successful John Hughes films like Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, and Pretty in Pink. She was a part of the “Brat Pack,” and most recently has appeared as Mary Andrews on Riverdale.
Molly Ringwald
Lindsay Lohan
Lindsay Lohan is an actress and model who started out as a child start when she appeared in The Parent Trap. She then had a series of successful films like Life-Size, Get a Clue, Freaky Friday, Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen, and Mean Girls. She was a teen idol until she faced troubles with substance abuse, leading her to step away from the spotlight. She recently made a comeback, appearing in Netflix Christmas movie Falling for Christmas.
Lindsay Lohan
Lauren Ambrose
Lauren Ambrose is an actress and singer who is known for roles in Six Feet Under, Torchwood: Miracle Day, Can’t Hardly Wait, Psycho Beach Party, Sleepwalk with Me, and Where the Wild Things Are. She also appeared in Broadway shows like My Fair Lady. In 2019, she starred as Dorothy Turner on the Apple TV+ show Servant.
Lauren Ambrose
Rose Leslie
Rose Leslie became well known when she starred as Ygritte in the HBO show Game of Thrones. She married her on-screen love interest Kit Harington as well. She also appeared in The Good Fight, The Time Traveler’s Wife, and Death on the Nile.
Rose Leslie
Gillian Anderson
Gillian Anderson is an actress who is best known for her role as Dana Scully on The X-Files. She also stars in The House of Mirth, The Fall, Sex Education, The Crown, and films like The Might Celt, The Last King of Scotland, Shadow Dancer, and Viceroy’s House. Other TV roles include shows like Bleak House, Great Expectations, and The First Lady.
Gillian Anderson
Marcia Cross
Marcia Cross is actress who first appeared in The Edge of the Night, Another World, and One Life to Live. She then appeared in Knots Landing and Melrose Place. She became a household name when she played Bree Van de Kamp on Desperate Housewives from 2004 until 2012. She also appeared as President Claire Haas on Quantico.
Marcia Cross
Shirley Manson
Shirley Manson is a musician and actress who is best known for being the lead singer of the band Garbage. The band has released seven albums and sold over 17 million records around the world. She appeared in Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles.
Shirley Manson