For my column in this issue I want to talk about redheads because I’m a redhead and I feel like not many people know about us. Redheads are unique in many ways. Being born with red hair isn’t just a fluke, it’s in our genes, and that’s why there are some pretty interesting bits of information about our uniqueness. I want more people to learn about this. I feel that redheads don’t get much appreciation for who we are. The regular generalizations about us just are not true. I know it’s not that important to some people, but I feel like we don’t get much appreciation. I feel like not many people care or try to get to know more about redheads.
The recessive gene that carries red hair has been traced back 50,000 years, when early modern ginger first appeared in the grasslands of central Asia. What many people assume is that redheads come from Scandinavia, Scotland or ireland. But they came from central Asia. Their coloring is due to a mutation in the MC1R gene that fails to produce skin protective, skin darkening emuelanin and instead causes pale skin, freckles and red hair.
Did you know that we have a national holiday called National Love Your Red Hair day. Each year on November 5th redheads have a chance to celebrate their locks to the fullest. The highest concentration of redheads is in Scotland (13%) and in Ireland (10%). The rest of the world has only 2% of people who have red hair. Having red hair isn’t the only thing that makes redheads unique.
According to The Reader’s Digest, redheads are more likely to be left handed. I myself am proof positive of this because I’m left-handed. I know it’s not true for every redhead, but I’m an example of one who is left handed. Scientists have found that fair skin has an important anti-disease property. Because of how different our skin is it soaks up more vitamin D. Evenstill, redheads should still check with their doctors on their personal levels of vitamin D. We can still be low on vitamin D even though their bodys supposedly produce more. On the other side of the issue, redheads may be at higher risks of skin cancer. Redheads get sunburned more easily. We have different cells from people with other skin tones. Unfortunately redheads produce pheomelanin instead of melanin which does not protect the skin from UV radiation which means we have higher skin cancer risks if we don’t put enough sunscreen on.
Another cool thing about redheads is that they are less likely to get gray hair. The pigment in red hair typically fades over time from red to blond and white but apparently not gray.
Another thing, apparently redheads need more anesthesia during surgery. Redheads feel pain differently, which is why redheads need more anesthesia. The actual amount will differ from redhead to redhead but traditionally natural redheads will need more than blondes and brunettes. Scientists have noticed that bees love redheads. Research has found that the reason they like our hair is probably because it resemblances a red flower.
Redheads may be sensitive to the cold way more than other people. I know I am because if it’s like 50 or 60 something out and if it’s a little breezy I get cold and want to put my hoodie on. If it’s summer and my dad turns on the AC to like 50 or 60 and it’s really hot out and it’s hot in the house after a few minutes I put a blanket on. But I don’t know if it’s because I’m a redhead or not. But I do believe we are sensitive to the cold weather. This is all I have to say about redheads. I hope you liked it. Thank you for reading about this, every time someone reads this it makes me think they actually care and want to learn about us.
