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There’s more that sets redheads apart than just their incredible hair colour…

Redheads make up just two percent of the population, but science has revealed that it’s not just their red hair that makes them unique. The specific make up of redheads gives them a number of genetic qualities, some which put them at an advantage over their blonde and brunette counterparts, and others that are a little more unusual…

One Of A Kind

Redhead and author of The Big Redhead Book Erin La Rosa says there are some interesting consequences to having red hair. In her book she writes that a 2003 study by McGill University proved that women with red hair have a 25% higher pain threshold due to rare MC1R mutation that gives them their auburn locks. While this mutation makes them better able to cope better with pain, redheads also feel changes in temperature far more intensely than non-redheads as a result, making the height of summer and the depths of winter less than comfortable. Being Vitamin D deficient is something redheads will never have to worry about – they need much less than the rest of us and can make their own rather efficiently! This is starting to sound a lot like a list of superpowers to us…

redhead

Better In Every Way

Not only can redheads resist pain and make their own Vitamin D, but they also smell significantly better than the rest of the population. Greater levels in the acidity of their skin’s surface means that redheads evaporate their scent, natural or otherwise, at a higher and more fragrant potency. Unfortunately, if you’re planning on masquerading as a redhead, it may be harder than you thought. Red is the hardest colour to fake and red hair from a bottle is nearly always distinguishable from the real deal – and you won’t be getting any of these other incredible genetic qualities to go with it (they don’t go grey!)

So for all the nicknames, teasing and sun safety that redheads often have to endure, it looks like they’re the ones having the last laugh.

Are you or your children genetically blessed redheads? Let us know in the comments below!

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  • WEll how interesting. I always wished I had red hair and green eyes….stunning

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  • I think red heads are beautiful.

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  • Who knew but something needed to make up for all the time redheads get teased.

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  • Wow, that’s incredible! I had no idea!

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  • I have two beautiful little redheads. My daughter is so lucky as she has olive skin as well. My son slightly tans too so they’re not your stereotypical redheads with pasty white skin and freckles (that’s me – minus the red hair)


    • Aw that’s beautiful ! I love the combi of red hair, brown eyes and olive skin :)

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  • No, but I know a few people who are redheads and find in particular, the females have the most beautiful hair.

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  • My husband is from Ireland and I lived there for 8yrs. Red hair isn’t that uncommon there at all.

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  • I am a red head and have 2 sons who are also red heads, unfortunately neither have been blessed with little re heads of their own at this stage.

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  • Red hair can be stunning. My kids have red highlights.

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  • I am strawberry blonde, but it gets redder every year. I can definitely attest to all of that. I have a higher pain tolerance than everyone else I know, my sense of smell is much more sensitive than others and my body always seems to have a scent (with underlying sweetness) even fresh out of a shower. As for hot/cold, I definitely hate the heat, as for cold, where I live it doesn’t get that cold.
    I definitely got bullied for my hair colour, and by bodies naturally stronger scent too. Not because I smelt bad, but because it was weird.


    • Sorry to hear you had to go through bullying because of this Myrlie !

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  • I love being a redhead & my little girl has inherited a beautiful shade of red too. Though mine’s faded as I’ve got older, my daughter gets lots of compliments on her lovely hair.

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  • I’m a redhead and am lucky that I’ve never been bullied over it. My fiance’s twin sister is a natural redhead but I’ve never seen her natural colour except in baby photos because she dyes it because she has always been bullied relentlessly which is so incredibly sad.
    Pain tolerance? Yep
    Vitamin D? I’ve been deficient and had to take supplements.
    Smell? I have a problem where my body rejects deodorants. Mens, women’s, natural or full of chemicals. Give it a few.weeks and it won’t work anymore. I’ve got stacks of the stuff and it doesn’t work. I’m currently using Bicarbonate Soda as deodorant which works like a charm.
    My two daughters were born blonde which, we were sure they’d be sporting my locks because daddy’s family has more redheads than I’ve seen anywhere in my life.

    I’m proud of my hair and know many who try to replicate but can’t. I wouldn’t change myself for the world. Be happy in your own skin, no matter what it looks like beautiful people xx

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  • Wow, there are so many amazing things about people. Red hair can look lovely. My daughter has a hint of red, more a light brunette. .

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  • I didn’t know that redheads can resist pain better, smell better and make their own Vitamin D either ! Very interesting indeed.
    Whilst I love redheads, I think all hair colours are beautiful and I don’t think red is more beautiful or special than other colours. Beauty is a combination of multiple factors, but most importantly comes from the inside.

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  • Definitely learned something new today!
    Hubby has speckles of red in his beard but not the hair on his head.

    Reply

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