According to the “Vault of Redheads,” genetically red hair is a recessive trait. This means it can hide in genes and pop up several generations later. Two redheads would most likely have red haired children. The red hair pigment is called pheomelanin, and the gene is melanocortin 1 receptor. “Percentages of redheads in different countries range from single digits to a fraction of 1 per cent — a recent estimate for France is 0.03 per cent of people,” says Ginga online. Incidentally, the word Ginga means, “Persons born with shades of hair defined within the red spectrum. Distinct from those with blond, brown or black hair. Fair skinned (usually), easily freckled, good in a fight, stand out in a crowd.” Just by this definition alone, one can see that being a redhead comes with a struggle. Do the benefits outweigh the burden?
It’s a known fact that redheads don’t turn grey. Hear me out. As aging occurs, the red hairs will first turn a neutral, blondish color, and then turn to white, completely skipping the grey color. Of the aged redheads I have personally known, it seems it has taken longer for the pigment in the hair to reach the white color than those who inherit grey. If this is true overall, this means that not only are redheads able to avoid grey hair, but get to keep color longer.
Ginga online also says that in Poland, if you pass three red-heads you’ll win the state lottery. Similarly, the “Vault of Redheads,” states that ancient Greeks died their hair red to show courage, and in Denmark, it’s considered an honor to have a red haired child.
“We redheads are a minority, we tend to notice each other – you know, and notice our identity. We should start our own celebrity Redhead organization,” said Julianne Moore in speaking with Conan O’Brian.
Along with all the benefits of being a redhead, also comes a price. For instance, individuals with red hair are more likely to burn in the sun, which also puts them at an increased risk of skin cancer. In addition, Socyberty says, “Studies have shown that people with red hair are more sensitive to pain and may require higher doses of pain medication than do their dark and blonde haired counterparts, [.] In addition, they often need higher levels of anesthesia to get the same level of sedation.”
As previously discussed, several cultures attribute positive connotations with being a redhead. Additionally, others may not see it in the same light. Socyberty comments that if you pass a red haired person on the street in Corsica, you’re supposed to spit. They also say that throughout history, redheads have been called violent, emotional, hot tempered, crazy, mystical, and unclean.
For your curiosity, there have been several redheads throughout history. See if you knew any of these figures bore the melanocortin 1 gene: Vincent Van Gogh, Cleopatra, Christopher Columbus, Emily Dickinson, William Shakespeare, Winston Churchill, Mary Queen of Scots, Queen Victoria, Mark Twain, Alexander The Great, William Clark, and John F. Kennedy amongst many.
The question still remains: Do the benefits of being a redhead outweigh the burden? Unfortunately, the natural ones don’t have a choice.
