1. Natural red hair is ****** to dye than other shades
Headstrong
as it is, ginger hair holds its pigment much firmer than any other hair
colour. If redheads desired to dye their hair to any other colour (why
would you?), it would only have a noticeable difference after bleaching
the hair beforehand. Otherwise, the colour won't take.
Bleaching, of course, is just bad news for hair. Especially red hair, which is much more fragile than other shades anyway.
2. Redheads have less hair on their heads
In terms of total number of strands, gingers have far fewer atop their red heads than any other colour.
On average, flame-haired beauties have 90,000 strands, compared to blondes with 110,000, and brunettes with 140,000.
They're
not exactly going bald though, as each strand of natural ginger hair is
much thicker, so the appearance is often that redheads have more hair
in general.
These fewer but thicker strands make it easier to style, so be jealous.
3. Redheads don't go grey
Staying true to its stubborn stereotype, ginger hair retains its natural pigment a lot longer than other shades.
So
there's no need to panic about going grey - red hair simply fades with
age through a glorious spectrum of faded copper to rosy-blonde colours,
then to silvery-white.
4. Red hair and blue eyes is the rarest combination in the world
The majority of natural redheads have brown eyes, with others likely to have hazel or green shades.
But
like red hair, blue eye colour is a recessive trait, meaning that both
parents must carry the gene for a ***** to be blessed with it. This
makes those with red hair and blue eyes the rarest minority in the
world, with only 1% having both.
So, each one is about as rare as a four-leaf clover.
5. They're more sensitive to thermal pain
Countless studies have looked into the genetics behind redheads claiming that they are more or less sensitive to pain.
Research shows that redheads are more sensitive to hot and cold pain, with their bodies able to change temperature much quicker.
Also,
in surgery, gingers might require approximately 20% more anaesthesia
than other hair colours. The exact reason for this is unknown, but it is
thought that a link to the mutated MC1R gene could be the culprit to
its effectiveness.
6. The Romans kept redheaded slaves at a higher price
Those
with fiery-coloured hair were held in high esteem in Roman art and
culture. Thought to be strong and determined, they were more expensive
than other slaves, and prisoners would even have their hair dyed to be
displayed as trophies.
Either that, or wigs of red hair were reportedly imported from northern Europe, for slaves to wear.
7. Russia means 'Land of Reds'
Translating
to mean 'Land of Reds', Russia boasts a high density of gingers located
in its Kazan region, at over 10% redheads, a similar density to
Scotland and Ireland.
8. 40% of Brits are 'Secret Gingers'
Extensive
research conducted by BritainsDNA has found that more than 40% of the
population carry the mutated MC1R gene that's responsible for red hair.
Both
parents must carry the gene to be able to spawn a ginger baby, which
lies at 25% if they're not ginger themselves, but still carry the
'secret gene'.
9. Adolf Hitler reportedly banned ginger marriages
...For fear of 'deviant offspring'. Of course.
10. Gingers generate their own Vitamin D
Having pale skin may mean that redheads burn more easily when exposed to UV rays, but their paleness can serve as an advantage.
Redheads can't absorb sufficient Vitamin D due to low concentrations of eumelanin in their body.
This
may sound like bad news, but this lower melanin-concentration means
that gingers can cleverly produce their own Vitamin D within their body
when exposed to low light conditions.