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.
Given the range of pain sensitivity and different types of pain, pain management can present challenges for people with red hair. Studies show redheads may require higher doses of some types of non-opioid pain relievers.
In summary, redheads are more sensitive to thermal pain than women with dark hair but do not show differences in baseline electrical pain thresholds. Furthermore, redheads are more resistant to the analgesic effects of subcutaneous lidocaine.
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.
In the past five years, researchers have found that the genetic mutation responsible for redhead's ruby tresses and snow-white skin also makes them more sensitive to hot and cold -- and it could also make them a whole lot harder to numb up.
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.
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).
However, lab-based studies also find men demonstrate a higher pain threshold (the point at which you first detect pain) and higher tolerance to pain, compared to women.
The gene responsible for red hair (MC1R) also releases a hormone that is similar to endorphins which limit the feeling of pain. This means that redheads need less painkillers to treat ailments.
In theory, the research done so far could suggest that females with red hair may experience more pain in labor or that epidural pain relief could be less effective. However, there hasn't been any research specifically looking into labor pain in people with red hair, so this is pure speculation.
Redheads feel hot and cold temperatures more severely than anyone else. In 2005, the University of Louisville discovered this hidden gift and hypothesised that the redhead gene, MC1R may cause the human temperature-detecting gene to become over-activated, making redheads more sensitive to thermal extremes.
One of the many facts about redheads is that their hair will never turn grey. The pigment in their hair that causes it to be red will just fade over time, causing their hair to turn blonde or white, but never grey.
Redheads may be more sensitive to some (but not all) types of pain. In 2003, researchers observed that people with red hair didn't have an increased sensitivity to electrical stimulation compared to people with dark hair. But they had a higher sensitivity and lower tolerance for cold and heat pain.
However, there's scant evidence that redheads have a genetically higher tolerance for alcohol. Excessive alcohol consumption causes inflammation, so theoretically, less inflammation could mean better long-term tolerance to alcohol, but this hasn't been specifically studied.
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.
African–Americans report greater sensitivity (i.e., lower pain threshold) and reduced pain tolerance to a variety of quantitative sensory testing methods when compared with non-Hispanic whites, including thermal pain [21–24], cold pressor pain [25], ischemic pain [6], electrical stimulation [26] and, perhaps most ...
Among adults, males have slightly higher verbal and reasoning abilities than females and a more pronounced superiority on spatial abilities. If the three abilities are combined to form general intelligence, the mean for males is 4 IQ points higher than the mean for females.
Physical activity, especially aerobic exercise, can also raise pain tolerance and decrease pain perception. One study found that a moderate to vigorous cycling program significantly increased pain tolerance. Mental imagery refers to creating vivid images in your mind, and it can be useful for some in managing pain.
Lifespan. Redheads can live as long as 21 years in the wild.
What Color Hair Makes You Look Younger? Brighten up! Ten out of ten colorists agree, shades that are warm-toned read more youthful than cool-toned hair colors. Spicy copper reds, rich caramel brunettes, and soft honey blondes will warm up your complexion for younger-looking skin (hold the retinol).
There is absolutely no truth to the persistent myths that mosquitoes fancy females over males, that they prefer blondes and redheads over those with darker hair, or that the darker or more leathery your skin, the safer you are from her bite.
The use of the term to refer to persons with red hair may be a reference to the spicy ginger root, an amplification of the stereotype that persons with red hair have abrupt tempers or are prone to violence.