Redheads

One evening, while doing my channel surfing, I landed on Shark Tank. There were two young entrepreneurs requesting money for their business. They were sisters, with beautiful red hair and pale skin. They had developed a product line for just redheads and were of course requesting financial support. I had never given it any thought that the colors of make-up products didn't work for redheads. The sisters were also promoted the uniqueness of being a redhead through their podcasts and other social media sites. It was one of their comments that has sparked this post. Apparently, it is estimated that only 2% of the world's population has naturally red hair. As you would assume, one google search led to another and there are some really fascinating facts about having red hair that I wanted to share.  

1. Globally about 140 million people have naturally red hair. 

2. Redheads produce Vitamin D more efficiently in less sunlight, making their bones stronger. 

3. Red hair is a genetic mutation which relates to an imbalance of melanin in the skin and hair cells. The gene causes the body to produce more pheomelanin, responsible for red and ginger hair tones. 

4. Red hair is recessive, both parents must be genetic carries of the gene. The gene is also responsible for freckles in many redheads. 

5. Colors of red hair include: bright copper, deep burgundy red-orange, auburn, burnt orange to strawberry blonde. 

6. Strawberry blond is the rarest hair color.

7. Redheads rarely have blue eyes; the majority have brown eyes.

8. Redheads are more sensitive to pain, endometriosis, Parkinson's disease, they can have decreased platelet function and defects in the immune system. Their bodies can change temperature rapidly, and during surgery, they might require approximately 20% more anesthesia. They are at a higher risk for bleeding. 

9. Redheads retain their natural hair pigment longer than other shades. Their hair transitions through several colors as they age, and they end up being a silvery gray. 

10. Although they have less hair, they have thicker strands. 

11. Red hair is the least preferred hair color. 

12. Freckles are associated with red hair color. Not all have them, but they do have pale skin and are most susceptible to sunburn and associated melanomas. Redheads lack melanin and are unable to tan. 

I have always found that red hair will catch my eye. There are so many different shades, and I think ginger or auburn are my favorite. It has been said that redheads have a strong personality and can have a temper. 

It goes without saying that black hair is the most common hair color. It comes in at 75% of the population, followed by brown hair at 20%, blond is next with 3% and as mentioned red is the least common at 2%. 

Blond hair is also a recessive gene and both parents have to carry it for you to have blond hair. Fifty-eight percent of blonds live in Finland. It is also rare to have blond hair and blue eyes. 

On my Dad's side of the family, there are many people with red hair. It ranges in color, but auburn would probably be the most common. Most family members have freckles, and tanning would be described as the freckles getting bigger and connecting.    

It is apparent that no matter what color of hair you have, you will eventually end up being either gray or white. There are very few people that can hang onto color in their hair. Some very elderly people have only shades of gray, but they would be in a small majority of people. Hair is important to people, for some reason it can make or break a day. Both my Grandmothers had beautiful white hair, and I am well on my way to that color. I am letting my hair take its own journey to whatever color it cares to be. I never totally colored my hair; I just highlighted it. One day I decided that putting color in my hair was an unnecessary thing in my life. Most of my life decisions are made just out of the blue. Once I make a decision, I rarely change my mind, and hair color falls into that category. It is part of my "let freedom roll" way of living.  

I hope you have enjoyed this little lesson on being a redhead. I am sure that we have all heard people ask, "where did you get your red hair from?". Now the answer is clear; from both parents!