Redheads always stand out from the crowd with their unique hair color. In addition to having prominent hair color, there are several biological traits that set them apart from blondes or brunettes. Scientists Say They Have Inherited Superpowers There is a tolerance to pain, but they are also prone to certain diseases, such as skin cancer, due to genetic mutations. Here are some interesting facts about red hair.
1 Red hair is caused by mutations in a gene called MC1R.
 Red hair is a recessive trait. A genetic mutation that causes skin and hair cells to produce a specific type of melanin. Even if parents with an MC1R mutation do not have red hair, their offspring have a 25 percent chance of having red hair. This is only possible if both parents are redheads Alleles are variants of a given gene. Red hair also comes from a type of pigment called “melanin,” which is also a determining factor. Even external factors like hormones can cause red hair and fair skin. ( 1 2 )
2 Scotland has the highest concentration of redheads at 13%.
 Scotland has a higher density of redheads than any other region. This is followed by Ireland (10%). Only 2% of the world’s population has red hair. More than 650,000 people in Scotland are redheads. The task of one study was to find out how many redheads there are in the population. it focuses on Find people who have the gene and dig deeper into why there are many redhead genes in the area. ( 1 2 )
3 Only 0.17% of people in the world have a combination of red hair and blue eyes.
 Red hair and blue eyes is one of the rarest combinations. Most redheads have hazel or brown eyes. Both red hair and blue eyes are recessive traits, and a person can only inherit the combination if both parents have the trait. So when both parents carry the recessive It can lead to this combination of genetic signatures. Although rare, this combination is not extinct because many people carry these genes that do not show up due to other dominant substitutions. ( 1 2 )
4 People with red hair are more likely to be left-handed.
 From the limited research on the topic of red hair, scientists have concluded that redheads are more likely to be left-handed than normal people. Similar to red hair and blue eyes being left-handed is also the work of a recessive gene. Only 10% to 12% of people left handed. In the Western Hemisphere, most people are right-handed. Recessive traits come in pairs, which is why the probability is higher. ( 1 2 )
5 Redheads can make their own vitamin D.
 Redheads can produce enough vitamin D with very little sun exposure. They are able to produce enough vitamin D in a shorter period of time than other people. Their pale skin favors the synthesis of D. Because of this unique property, their bones are very healthy. This genetic trait contributes to They survive in the murky conditions of European countries. ( resource )
6 Redheads are more difficult to sedate, but they tolerate pain differently.
 Redheads seem to be more sensitive to pain and less sensitive to local anesthetics used by dentists. They required 20 percent more anesthesia to achieve the sedative effect than doses given with other hair dyes. The MC1R gene they have belongs to the nociceptor family and the redhead type The mutation affects their sensitivity to pain. Redheads are resistant to local anesthesia, so it is difficult to go to the dentist because they are unaware and given the normal dose of anesthesia, which makes them feel pain during the procedure. ( 1 2 )
7 Red hair rarely turns gray.
 Red hair has more pigment than other colors, so redheads rarely turn gray. Their hair goes through multiple color spectrums before changing from rose gold to snow white. The pigments eumelanin and pheomelanin determine the color tone of the hair. The redder the hair, the more pheomelanin. The color tone of the hair follicles changes, causing red hair to turn blonde instead of white. ( 1 2 )
8 Redheads actually have less hair than most other people.
 On average, redheads have only 90,000 hairs, while blondes have 140,000. Red hair is usually thicker, though, so it still looks just as full. Usually if you only have 90,000 hair follicles, the hair loss will be noticeable. But the red hair is so thick, it looks fuller A smaller amount will not affect the overall look. ( 1 2 )
9 Redheads feel hot and cold better than other people.
 In 2005, the University of Louisville studied redheads, discovered this hidden talent, and hypothesized that the redhead gene MC1R causes overactivation of human temperature detection genes, which makes redheads more sensitive to temperature extremes and more sensitive to temperature changes. They can easily spot changes that would otherwise go unnoticed. ( resource )
10 There was a slight increase in bruising rates among redheads.
 Being a redhead does sometimes hurt more. Redheads had a slightly higher rate of bruising. The subjects were healthy women aged 18 to 40. They have done multiple tests and confirmed an increase in the number of bruises, but all other factors such as The hemoglobin level is the same as the platelet count. The researchers concluded that redheads had abnormalities in hemostasis, but they were subtle. ( resource )
11 Redheads carry a gene variant that doubles their risk of developing Parkinson’s disease compared to people with other hair colors.
 The MC1R gene responsible for hair and fair skin also affects dopamine production. Dopamine chemical signaling is impaired or reduced in red hair. This same chemical is lost when you have Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease is a condition that you experience when Your body’s levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine are dropping. As a result, studies have shown that people with red hair are more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease. ( resource )
12 People with red hair are more likely to develop skin cancer.
 People with red hair have a higher risk of melanoma, a type of skin cancer caused by overexposure to UV rays. Because redheads have mutations in the Mc1R-RHS gene, they are more likely to develop this cancer variant. This particular mutation in the gene reduces the body’s ability to produce enough eumelanin for UV rays Protection puts them at greater risk. ( resource )
13 Redheads aren’t always fair-skinned.
 Media reports lead us to believe that red hair is only for fair-skinned people, but redheads born in places like Papua New Guinea and Morocco have darker skin tones. Polynesian redheads are called “ehu” in Hawaiian, which means “descendant of fire” god. “Most of the red-haired carriers in the Caribbean and Africa are due to immigration or gene flow,” said Stanford University geneticist Barry Starr. “Red hair shades range from deep burgundy or bright copper or auburn to burnt or reddish orange to strawberry blond. ( 1 2 )
14 Scientists use birds to learn about redheads.
 To study the higher risk of skin cancer in redheads, scientists used birds. They used pheomelanin birds, which have red pigmentation on their bodies, for their research. The study concluded that hyperpigmentation, or the synthesis of the color-producing pheomelanin, is also responsible Increased risk. The researchers found that the ingredient was carcinogenic by studying multiple birds as a reference.
Exposure of such birds during the Chernobyl disaster led to severe declines in their numbers. This says a lot about radiation exposure and increases the scope for more in-depth research. Increased red pigment pheomelanin in the body leads to poor radiation protection. ( 1 2 )
15 People with red hair are called “Redheads” instead of their original orange hair color, because the word “orange” wasn’t coined until the 1500s.
 The word “orange” wasn’t used in English until the 1500s, which is the main reason redheads got their name. Before the word orange was coined, the English language did not distinguish between orange and red as different colors. the term The “redhead” has been in use since the mid-1200s. Many biblical characters and gods in different cultures around the world are believed to have red hair. ( 1 2 )
16 Archaeologists have found evidence that redheads have existed since the time of the Neanderthals.
Ancient DNA from Neanderthal bones suggests they had pale skin and red hair, researchers have found. They confirmed that at least 1% of them were probably redheads. The bones came from Spain and were 43,000 years old, and another piece from Italy was 50,000 years old. ( resource )
17 Redheads will never go extinct.
 There is a common misconception that redheads will go extinct because there are so few of them. Although redheads make up only a small percentage of the population, their genetic variation will always be there because there are many people who carry the recessive redhead gene. 2% of the world’s population is not small number. ( resource )
18 “Gingerphobia” refers to a person who fears or dislikes red hair. Redheads face severe discrimination in society.
 Redheads are not like most people. Although it’s a great conversation starter or icebreaker, discrimination against redheads is very common. In older texts, the redhead was compared to witches and vampires. Even today, they face severe skin color discrimination and bullying their hair. These stereotypical prejudices and abuse they often face are called “ginger poisoning”. ( 1 2 )
Every year, May 26th and 19th are designated as “World Redhead Day”.
 In order for redheads to love their hair despite all the societal stigma, the first National Redhead Day is celebrated after two sisters encountered Kicking Ginger Day. They decide the redhead needs to celebrate this day to love herself and get rid of the bullying Since only 1% to 2% of the world’s population is redheaded, the discrimination that comes from being an odd duck in a large group of people. ( resource )
20 Ireland hosts a redhead convention every year. Similar celebrations are held all over the world.
The Redheads Convention is held three days a year in the south of Ireland where all the redheads come together to compete. They are charity partners of the Irish Cancer Society. Redhead parties are also held in other parts of the world, such as the one held every autumn in the Netherlands Thousands of redheads come together for Roodharigendag, the weekend-long international festival of redheads. ( 1 2 )