There is a school of thought that says redheads require more local anesthetic to manage pain, as well as increased amounts of general anesthesia to induce unconsciousness, than the rest of the population. That said, it's a somewhat recent and still-evolving concept.
Extensive scientific research has shown redheads are actually much harder to knock out than people who can actually tan. This applies in all cases: doctors oftentimes use more anesthetic to knock us out prior to surgery, and we rarely get knocked unconscious.
Prior research has already put red-haired humans and mice into the spotlight, pointing out that they have a higher pain threshold. They also don't need as high of a dosage of pain-killing opioids, and they tend to require more anesthesia compared to people with non-red hair.
They may be more sensitive to certain types of pain and can require higher doses of some pain-killing medications. However, studies suggest that their general pain tolerance may be higher. People with red hair also respond more effectively to opioid pain medications, requiring lower doses.
While some studies suggest a potential link between certain genetic variations and alcohol metabolism, the idea that redheads universally have a higher alcohol tolerance remains inconclusive and should be approached with caution.
Women with red hair color exhibited higher sexual desire and sexual activity, a higher number of sexual partners of the preferred sex, earlier initiation of sexual life, and lower sexual dominance (and therefore higher sexual submissiveness).
Moreover, red-haired individuals have been found to require significantly higher concentrations of desflurane for general anesthesia compared to those with dark hair. This increased desflurane requirement in redheads has been linked to mutations in the MC1R gene [20].
Red headed women reported more frequent diagnoses of cervical uterine cancer, cervical uterine precancerosis, ovarian cancer and other cancer. Both male and female redheads reported more frequent diagnoses of colorectal cancer.
Collectively, people with red hair were rated as most unattractive, but it must be noted that in the non-obese woman condition, red hair was seen as equal to blond hair in attractiveness, though in every other condition red hair was seen as significantly less attractive.
Conclusion: Red hair is the phenotype for mutations of the melanocortin 1 receptor. Our results indicate that redheads are more sensitive to thermal pain and are resistant to the analgesic effects of subcutaneous lidocaine.
Natural redheads may experience pain differently from people with other hair colors, but the research is inconclusive. Some studies have found that redheads have a lower pain threshold, but other studies have found the opposite.
Rarest kind of redhead
Having red hair and blue eyes is the rarest hair/eye color combination possible. The odds of a person having both of those recessive traits is around 0.17%. Instead, most redheads have brown, hazel or green eyes, according to Medical Daily.
Many people are curious about life as a redhead but are worried that red hair will look out of place on them. Anyone can pull off red hair. The trick is in choosing a shade that compliments your skin tone to give you a natural and perfectly pulled-together look.
Fun facts about red hair strands
Redheads have less hair and thicker strands than most people. On average, it's believed that those with red hair have 90,000 strands, while blondes have around 110,000 and brunettes have 140,000. Redheads are less likely to go grey.
Which hair colour do women think is the sexiest? Most women think brunette hair is the sexiest, as 25% of those polled favoured this option. Womens' second preference is blonde, which was voted as the sexiest hair colour by 19.6% of women.
And what would you think is the most attractive eye color? In a website poll of over 66,000 respondents, 20% said green was the most attractive, followed by hazel and light blue at 16%. Brown was far and away voted the least attractive (6%).
According to the survey, the majority of men (42%) found blonde hair to be the most attractive. This was followed by brunette (36%), red (16%), black (5%), and gray (1%).
Lifespan. Redheads can live as long as 21 years in the wild.
Her research lead all the way back to the ginger gene's origin in Africa, tracing its spread across ancient Greece, to the redheaded mummies of China, and to Renaissance Europe. Colliss Harvey's research found that redheaded individuals have higher levels of vitamin D, which is a source of strength.
Humans and mice with natural red hair have elevated basal pain thresholds and an increased sensitivity to opioid analgesics.
The research isn't conclusive, but experience is a form of evidence. And it's hard to ignore all the anecdotal data that suggests anesthetics aren't as effective on people with red hair. “The good news is that red hair or not, you'll get the amount of general anesthesia that's right for you,” Dr. Sessler reassures.
Genetic Background
Variants of this gene not only result in the characteristic red hair and fair skin but also influence pain perception and drug metabolism. Research has shown that these genetic differences can lead to variations in how redheads respond to anesthesia, painkillers, and other medications.