Whoever said that blondes have more fun need to spend more time hanging out with some redheads. With so many incredible shades ranging from light strawberry blonde to deep, rich auburn, people with red hair have personality to match their locks. There are so many interesting facts to learn about red hair that extend beyond color. Some of this fun trivia are simply anecdotal accounts about personal experiences while other information is based on genetic data collected from strands of red locks.
What Makes Red Hair Unique
Read the best children's books about redheads, and they will love their own colorful locks even more than before. Now they will be interested in knowing their unique hair color holds more magic than what meets the eye. Here are some pretty fascinating facts about red hair that will make them hold their heads even higher.
(1) Each strand of red hair is generally thicker than other colors.
For this reason, it is generally considered that gingers have fewer strands of hair. Some research has indicated that redheads, on average, have about 90,000 strands of hair, while brunettes have 140,000 strands and blonds have 110,000 strands.
(2) Kids with red hair are the product of two parents with the recessive redhead gene.
It's possible for neither parent to be a redhead, but if they both have the gene, their offspring could be gingers. But if one parent is a redhead and the other parent doesn't have the gene, it is genetically impossible to produce a redhead child.
(3) Although anecdotal, redheads report that bees are more likely to sting them than their friends with other hair color.
The truth, according to experts, is that there is no real connection between bees and the color red. Children will learn by reading books about bees that the behavior of these insects is driven by a sense of smell and has nothing to do with color. Studies have shown that bees are repelled by certain smells, like bananas and perfume. An urban legend states that perfumes smell different on the skin of redheads, and while this has never been scientifically proven, the scent itself would likely drive bees away rather than incite them to sting.
(4) Redheads don't need to worry about going grey.
As people with red hair age, their locks will lose pigmentation and turn either blonde or white, but never a dull grey. The process of losing pigmentation, achromotrichia, causes the hair to fade to a variety of shades, but lucky for them it never turns into silvery strands associated with old age.
(5) Oftentimes, redheads are also left-handed.
These two rare traits are passed along through recessive genes, which usually come in pairs. Approximately 10% of the population is left-handed while only 2% have red hair. While scientific proof has not yet been established linking the two traits, data collected thus far points to a connection.
(6) There is a special holiday just for redheads.
World Redhead Day is officially celebrated every year on May 26th. Although the origins of this fiery holiday are unclear, it is an important day to mark on your calendar so you don't forget to shower your little carrot top with extra love.
(7) Ancient Egyptians used to sacrifice redheads by burying them alive.
Historians have found evidence of unfortunate events surrounding individual born with red hair during ancient Egyptian times. Believed to bring bad luck, redheads were sacrificed to God Osiris in hopes of ending terrible events that would befall the people. Legend has it that they may have both buried people alive or even burned them at the stake during annual ceremonies as a way to seek protection from the god.
(8) People with red hair are more sensitive to pain.
Studies have shown that redheads require about 20% more anesthesia than brunettes or blondes when undergoing medical procedures. Scientists have linked a mutation in the gene (MC1R) responsible for hair color also to a higher sensitivity to pain. Other research has revealed a more nuanced perspective on evaluating the relationship between pain and redheads. For instance, some results point to the fact that they actually have a higher pain threshold, but perception of pain at lower levels is more intense.
Books for Kids About Physical Appearance