Interesting Facts You Didn’t Know About Redheads

Redheads are pretty rare, so there’s always some fascination surrounding people with red hair. In fact, they often get more attention solely because of the color of their tresses, even if they don’t really want it.

There are various assumptions surrounding people with red hair, but they aren’t always accurate. In fact, there are many redhead facts that you might not know.

It’s often exciting to learn new things. If that’s how you feel, and you’ve never given redheads that much thought, it’s time to read these interesting facts and traits about people with red hair. Some will blow your mind!

Pain Tolerance

Many studies show that redheads often have a higher pain tolerance than others. You probably don’t expect your hair color to have an effect on the amount of pain you can handle, but it turns out that redheads tolerate pain better than most!

Temperature Changes

Redheads aren’t as sensitive to pain, but one University of Louisiana study from 2005 indicates that redheads are sensitive to temperature changes because of the gene MC1R. This study showed that they can detect the modification before others!

Less Vitamin D

Redheads require less vitamin D from sunshine than others because of their European descent. Therefore, their skin is used to cloudier and colder climates. Their bodies will create vitamin D on their own and don’t require being outside as often.

More Laughter

People thought redheads were much funnier than others, and this dates back to the 19th century. That’s part of the reason clowns wear red wigs. The University of Buffalo conducted several studies that found red clown wigs were funnier than other colors.

More Intimate

There’s not much research to back up the claim, but some people believe those with a red hair color are more active in the bedroom. Dr. Werner Habermehl provided evidence to support this, but no conclusive studies have proven it.

Diverse Group

Most people associate red hair with Caucasians, but there are redheads in many races worldwide. Though there are plenty in Russia and Northern Europe, there are also genetic mutations throughout South America, Asia, and Africa. Morocco has many redheads!

TV Commercials

Though redheads are rare, you might think they’re more common because of television commercials. Upstream Analysis did a report in 2014 indicating that 30 percent of all commercials aired during primetime had a redhead. CBS holds the record there!

Less than Two Percent

Studies indicate that about one to two percent of the population naturally have red hair, which is small compared to the world’s population. Typically, redheads are found in Western Europe, and Scotland has the highest number, with 13 percent of the population.

Less Hair

Redheads often have less hair than the rest of the world. In particular, there’s less hair on the tops of their heads. In fact, they have 90,000 hairs, while blondes have roughly 110,000, and brunettes average 140,000!

No Gray

Though redheads often have fewer hairs on their heads, their natural pigment will last longer than other colors. In fact, red hair will fade more slowly and turns copper, rosy blonde, and then silver. It must be easier to age as a redhead!

National Redhead Day

National days correlate to various objects, events, and people. Therefore, it makes total sense that one whole day is dedicated to redheads, as they’re rare. November 5 is “Love Red Hair Day.” Other countries also celebrate it so that redheads appreciate themselves.

Many Shades

You’ve probably noticed the many shades of red hair out there, and there are also varying degrees of dark and light shades and variations in the vibrance of that red color. Overall, there are six hues, including pale strawberry blonde and dark auburn.

British Isles Last Names

Many last names from the British Isles signify a color of red hair that was prominent for a particular family. For instance, “Flannery” refers to red eyebrows specifically. “Flynn” connects to the bright red hair meaning. Then, “Reid” means “red-haired person.”

Extinction Concerns

Several studies indicate that the gene causing red hair is more and more rare. In fact, it could be gone completely by the year 2060! Some scientists disagree with the prediction, claiming that the gene can be dormant and come back in new generations.

Dark to Red

In rare cases, people could have a protein deficiency that leads to Kwashiorkor. The condition features edema, rashes, dry skin, and dark hair that turns red eventually. It was first noticed in 1932 because children’s hair was changing color.

Higher Risk

Many studies show that those with red hair can have a higher risk of certain diseases, such as Parkinson’s, brain disorders, and skin cancer. Because redheads often have the MC1R gene, they could develop those issues more than people with other hair colors.

More Anesthesia than Normal

Perhaps it’s related to the higher pain threshold for redheads, but one study suggests that redheaded women need 19 to 20 percent more anesthesia to become sedated than others. Likewise, redheads often require more Lidocaine or Novocaine than other people.

Many Famous Redheads

Though redheads are rare, there are well-known ones throughout history, and some are prominent and influential. These include Cleopatra, Galileo Galilei, Napoleon Bonaparte, and Thomas Jefferson! Many current-day celebrities wear red hair prominently!

First Redhead

There are tons of legends and myths about where redheads originated from, but Idon of Mu is the best account. It’s said that he turned redhead after going to Atlantis and running away from his home. The red pigment was in the sky, causing his hair to change to that color.

Strange Belief

In Medieval times, there was a belief that kids with red hair had been conceived while their mom was menstruating. They thought that the blood had contaminated the man’s sexual organs, resulting in a baby with red hair. However, that’s been debunked now!

Blue Eyes and Red Hair

People with naturally red hair are rare, but if they also have blue eyes, they are even rarer! Studies indicate that the chance of having blue eyes and red hair is just 0.17 percent! Both of these are recessive traits, so it’s uncommon to see both. In fact, both parents require the MC1R and blue eye gene!

Isla Fisher

You can’t discuss redheads without focusing on your Hollywood favorites. One well-known redheaded actress is Isla Fisher. She’s Australian and known for her roles in I Heart Huckabees, Confessions of a Shopaholic, and many others.

Debra Messing

Debra is a talented actress who started in the industry with Prey and Ned and Stacey before getting her role on Will & Grace. There, she played Grace Adler for many years and got nominated for five Primetime Emmy Awards and seven Golden Globes.

Jayma Mayes

Jayma is known for being on Glee as Emma Pillsbury from 2009 to 2015. Then, she appeared in other films, such as The Smurfs, Paul Blart: Mall Cop, and Red Eye. This lovely redhead has also been in many television shows throughout the years.

Alyson Hannigan

Alyson started acting at 11 years old, appearing in various TV shows and films before landing a major role as Willow Rosenberg on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She was also Lily from How I Met Your Mother.

Maitland Ward

Maitland is a model and actress that first appeared on The Bold and the Beautiful. Later she gained more prominence on Boy Meets World in seasons six and seven. However, she retired from acting in 2007 and has now turned to adult films.

Bonnie Wright

Bonnie is an English actress best known for being Ginny Weasley during the Harry Potter films. After that, she showed up in various indie films, including After the Dark, The Sea, and Before I Sleep. This environmental activist is going places!

Laura Prepon

Laura is well-known as being Donna Pinciotti from That 70’s Show. After that, she transformed into Alex Vause on Orange Is the New Black, a Netflix original series. However, she didn’t stop there and has appeared in many other films.

Julianne Moore

Julianne has had a very prolific career. She’s started in various films, including Jurassic Park: The Lost World, Nine Months, The End of the Affair, Boogie Nights, The Hours, Far from Heaven, The Big Lebowski, The Kids Are Alright, Hannibal, and many more.

Tilda Swinton

Tilda is a talented actress who focuses on avant-garde roles in blockbuster films and independent movies. She’s been seen in these films: Vanilla Sky, Orlando, The Last of England, We Need to Talk about Kevin, Adaptation, and many more!

Cynthia Nixon

Cynthia’s most prominent role was on Sex and the City as Miranda Hobbes. She then was part of the sequel to that, called And Just Like That. This role earned her the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress for a Comedy Series.

Bryce Dallas Howard

Bryce is a director and actress who first showed up in The Village from M. Night Shyamalan. Later, she appeared in another of his films called Lady in the Water. However, she’s most well-known for being Clair Dearing in many of the newer Jurassic World movies.

Ron Howard

Ron Howard, Bryce’s father, started out on The Andy Griffith Show as Opie. Then, he went to Happy Days and became a producer and director, working on films such as The Da Vinci Code, Night Shift, Willow, and others.

Molly Ringwald

Molly is an actress who started off on The Facts of Life. Later, she became a teenage sensation when she appeared in The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, and Pretty in Pink. She was also on Riverdale and other shows.

Lindsay Lohan

Lindsay is a model and actress who started out on The Parent Trap as a child. Then, she was in many successful films, including Mean Girls, Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen, Freaky Friday, Get a Clue, and Life-Size. However, she led away from the spotlight after developing a substance abuse problem.

Lauren Ambrose

Lauren is a singer and actress best known for her roles in Sleepwalk with Me, Psycho Beach Party, Can’t Hardly Wait, Six Feet Under, and Where the Wild Things Are. Likewise, she’s appeared in a few Broadway shows, too!

Rose Leslie

Rose was on the Game of Thrones show, which is an HBO hit. Then, she married Kit Harington, her on-screen love interest. Likewise, she’s appeared in other films, such as Death on the Nile, The Time Traveler’s Wife, and The Good Fight.

Gillian Anderson

Gillian is an actress best known for being Dana Scully for The X-Files. However, she’s also starred in The Fall, The House of Mirth, The Crown, Sex Education, Viceroy’s House, and many others. Then, there are her other TV roles!

Marcia Cross

Marcia is the actress who was on One Life to Live, Another World, and The Edge of Night. However, she’s also been on Melrose Place and Knots Landing. After being on Desperate Housewives, she became a household name!

Shirley Manson

Shirley Manson is an actress and musician who’s best known for being in Garbage, a band. It’s released seven total albums, which have sold more than 17 million records worldwide. She was also on Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles.