Red hair is a genetic rarity, with only about 1-2% of the world's population possessing naturally red hair. Here are some lesser-known facts about redheads:
Genetic Basis: The red hair phenotype is primarily caused by a variant of the MC1R gene, which regulates the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for hair, skin, and eye color.
Redheads typically have a mutation in this gene that results in a higher production of the pigment pheomelanin and less eumelanin, leading to their distinctive red hair color.
Sun Sensitivity: Redheads often have fair skin and freckles, which are characteristics associated with higher sensitivity to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.
Anesthesia Sensitivity: Studies have shown that redheads may require higher doses of certain types of anesthesia and pain medications compared to individuals with other hair colors
Pain Tolerance: A study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association found that people with natural red hair are more resistant to certain types of pain, such as electrically induced pain.