Can redheads wear pink? (And other questions about red hair, answered…)

Can redheads wear pink? “Of course not!” says just about everyone I’ve ever spoken to on this topic. Well, here’s what my jumper has to say about THAT…

Actually, I CAN. And I quite often do these days, because although I grew up keenly aware of all of the things my hair colour was going to prevent me from doing/wearing (Wearing pink, wearing red, procreating…), I grew up to realise that very few of these little “redhead rules” apply — or, at least not to all of us. 

As a child, I blindly accepted all of this, and obediently added “wearing pink” to the list of Things Other People Can Do Which I Can’t. (No, seriously, there is an actual list. You can find it here, if you’re particularly interested..) I even went through a stage in which I was very anti-pink, in a stupid kind of “WELL, I DIDN’T WANT TO WEAR PINK ANYWAY, SO THERE!” kind of thing. Kids, huh?

As an adult, however, I eventually started to question The Redhead Rules, and to experiment with colour. I’m not saying I now just wear anything and everything, but what I discovered is that there actually aren’t many – if ANY – colours that redheads absolutely CANNOT wear. It’s not like there’s only one shade of red hair, after all, or one skin tone that all redheads share, so what works for one redhead might not work for another, and vice-versa. You know, just like with every other hair colour out there? (Breaking news: People With Red Hair Found To Be No Different From Anyone Else)

As for myself, it’s true that there are some shades I avoid altogether, but these days pink isn’t one of them: in fact, it’s become something of a favourite. I love the softness of the colour, and although it can – and does – clash with my natural ginger hair, occasionally, the fact that it doesn’t leech all colour from my skin, the way darker shades can, makes me willing to compromise on it.

Here are some other common questions about redheads…

1. Is red hair rare?

   • Yes, red hair is relatively rare, accounting for only about 1-2% of the world’s population. Here in Scotland, though, it’s not particularly unusual: there were at least three redheads in my class at school, and while that didn’t do much to stop us all getting constant, idiotic comments about it, it did mean that it wasn’t as much of a novelty as it might have been elsewhere in the world, where red hair is much more unusual.

2. What causes red hair?

   • Red hair is primarily caused by variations in the MC1R gene, which leads to the production of a specific type of melanin called pheomelanin.

3. Do people with red hair have a higher pain tolerance?

   • There is no scientific evidence to support the idea that people with red hair inherently have a higher pain tolerance; in fact, I remember when I went in for my c-section, the doctor told me some redheads feel MORE pain, although she admitted that there’s no scientific evidence for that either, so it’s purely anecdotal. For myself, I obviously have nothing to compare my tolerance for pain to, but my husband tells me I’m an absolute BABY about it, so take from that what you will…

4. Does red hair come from a specific ethnic background?

   • Red hair can be found in people of various ethnic backgrounds, but it is more common in individuals of Northern and Western European descent. One thing that’s certain is that, for a baby to have red hair, both parents must carry the gene –– which is why I always knew it was highly unlikely my Greek husband and I would have a red haired baby, no matter how certain the people around us seemed to be that we would.

5. Are there different shades of red hair?

   • Yes, there is a wide range of shades of red hair, from strawberry blonde to deep auburn. Mine started off as a vibrant ginger, but has faded to a strawberry blonde as I’ve aged, which I use henna to turn back to its ‘natural’ colour.

6. Do redheads have a higher sensitivity to temperature changes?

   • There is no scientific evidence to suggest that redheads have a higher sensitivity to temperature changes, however, speaking for myself, I can tell you that I’m super-sensitive to the cold, and will be shivering in temperatures other people find fairly comfortable. I never go anywhere without a sweater, sleep with a hot water bottle from about September – May, and would happily leave the country every winter if I possibly could…

7. Can redheads tan or do they always burn?

   • While redheads may be more prone to sunburn due to their fair skin, they can still tan with proper sun protection. I’ve personally never had a “real” suntan in my life, because I burn really quickly and don’t want to risk it. Pale and proud!

8. Do redheads go gray or white as they age?

• • • There’s a common misconception that redheads don’t go grey, but I’m here to tell you that’s absolutely not true: our hair loses pigment the same as anyone else’s, it just might look a little less obvious as the white strands mix with the red.

9. Do redheads require more or less anesthesia during surgery?

• • • • Studies have shown that redheads may require more anesthesia than individuals with other hair colors, although individual responses can vary. Again, the surgeon who did my c-section told me this was true, but I don’t know how much anesthesia I required, and how much that compares to non-redheads, so I can only take her at her word!

10. Are redheads more prone to certain health conditions?

• • • • • Redheads may have a higher risk of skin cancer due to their fair skin, but there is no conclusive evidence linking red hair to specific health conditions.

11. Do redheads need more or less vitamin D from sunlight?

1. • • • • • Redheads may need to take extra precautions in the sun due to their fair skin but can still obtain sufficient vitamin D with safe sun exposure or supplements. I take a daily Vitamin D supplement because I live in a place that gets very little natural light, but I’ve never had my vitamin D levels tested, so don’t know for sure whether they differ from anyone else’s. 
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