How red hair affects your health

According to a recent article from Peace FM Online, red heads have a higher risk of suffering several medical and emotional issues, and this is all down to the same genetic factors that make our hair red.

Anxious Red Heads

Reds are often more anxious than other colors. That’s because the same genetic factors that control melanin production (the DNA that gives hair its color) also affect how your body manages stress.

“The genes responsible for the ability to produce anti-stress hormones live close to melanocortin-1 receptors,” says Margaret Lewin, M.D., a New York internist.

And sometimes the gene mutation that causes red hair can lead the anti-stress genes astray, too, and cause faulty production of anxiety-reducing hormones like pregnenolone. “The decreased production of anti-stress hormones leaves a redhead more likely to be stressed out,” Lewin says.

Red Heads Feel More Pain

Redheads may require up to 20% more local anesthesia (Novocain or other, similar pain-numbing drugs) than other colors, says the study’s lead researcher, Cleveland Clinic anesthesiologist Daniel Sessler, M.D.

That’s because redheads’ melanocortin-1 receptors (the DNA responsible for hair color) are malfunctioning. In fact, red hair itself is the result of a gene mutation.

Red Heads With Parkinsons

Redheads have nearly a 50% greater chance of developing Parkinson's than people with other hair colors, according to a 2009 Harvard Medical School study. People with black hair have the lowest chance, followed by brunettes, then blondes, researchers found.

The gene responsible for fiery hair hues is headquartered close to a gene that, if mutated, can increase the risk for Parkinson's disease. And proximity can be all it takes to make one gene affect another.

Source: How Hair Color Affects Your Health

Kathy Griffin's complexion makes her "almost disappear"

A photographer for the Daily Mail spotted Kathy Griffin on a beach in Florida on Sunday.

The American comedian and actress stripped down to a camouflage bikini on the beach in Florida yesterday, putting her enviably honed body on show for all to see.

However, it wasn't the patterned two-piece she was wearing that helped her blend into her surrounds.

Rather, the red head's pale complexion saw her almost 'disappear' as she strutted along the white sand after taking a refreshing dip in the sea.

Source: A lesson in beach camouflage at 50

Ricky Gervais on Lewis CK: Fat Bald Ginger Cunt

Brit Ricky Gervais has congratulated fellow comedian Lewis CK for winning Best Stand-up at The US Comedy Awards.

Congratulations to Louis CK for beating me to Best Stand-up at The US Comedy Awards. Greatly deserved. It’s about time that fat bald ginger cunt caught a break.

He’s amazing on Talking Funny by the way.

Source: The Official Ricky Gervais Blog

Dermatologist's reaction to red head patient

Public Opinion has taken a look at society's reaction to red heads. Included in the article is the story of a patient's subjection to red head prejudice in the early 1980s.

"It was an office procedure, the doc asked me to stay put, and he left. Soon I could hear him on the phone in the room next to mine yelling," said Kleeberg, now Pierce County planning and land use director.

"I want that biopsy stat! This guy is not only a lawyer, he's a ******* redhead!"

Source: Not all redheads are feisty Irish -- or are they?

Vinny Guadagnino - "Gingers have no souls"

Jersey Shore star Vinny Guadagnino has tweeted "Gingers have no souls", a quote from the famous South Park episode. At the time of writing the post had been retweeted by over 100 people.

Source: Gingers have no souls

Convert to a redhead with GingerBooth

2010 startup Bluebear has capitalised on the popularity of red hair with the recent release of GingerBooth, an application that changes your photo so you look like you have red hair and freckles.

You can download the iPhone App here.

Red head prejudice rife in British primary schools

Gingerism.com has received two reports in the space of this week in relation to red head prejudice in British primary schools. The first comes from the mother of a 6 year old girl.

I have a 6 year old daughter, during a school lesson about tolerance and accepting differences in people, the teacher singled her out to point out she had "ginger" hair as opposed to the rest of the class who had blonde or brown. She answered - Mrs G, the polite way to say that is redhead, to which the teacher replied, No, you're not the colour of my jumper (red) YOU ARE GINGER. I'm sure, to the amusement of the rest of the kids in the class.

I complained to the head teacher but was basically told, it wasn't said in malice and I should get over it.

The second comes from a primary school teacher, who retold the story of a red headed child's response to being singled out for the colour of her hair.

The class of 4 year olds were in circle time. The discussion was about how everyone is different, with a focus on how people have different eyes and hair colour. During this discussion, one child pointed at a red headed girl and said "yeah and she's ginger!".

The next day, the red headed girl came back into class, having cut her own hair off the night before.

If your goal in life is to stand up against all kinds of prejudice, you should consider earning a degree in social justice and find a job that can help prevent social exclusions and promote equality.

Red hair fast becoming the fashion statement of 2011

The Southland Times has an interesting piece taking a look at the rising popularity of red hair among celebrities, models and politicians.

After decades of playground taunts, it seems redheads are finally rising to the fore. Prominent New Zealand redheads include author and broadcaster Peta Mathias, actress Geraldine Brophy, singer-songwriter Eva Prowse, Dominion Post editor Bernadette Courtney, and TV presenter Samantha Hayes and former presenter Maggie Barry.

[...]

"Red hair is definitely in fashion right now," says New Zealand hairdresser Richard Kavanagh, who is working at Milan Fashion Week. A fortnight ago Kavanagh was working backstage at New York Fashion Week where redheaded models walked for Marc Jacobs, Diesel, Rag & Bone and Ralph Lauren. Kavanagh also worked on two fashion shoots "featuring gorgeous red-haired models".

[...]

"Red hair is such a statement of personality and in today's fashion climate of anything goes, it's one of the few ways to maintain a degree of elegance and sophistication while still showing a lot of personality," Kavanagh says.

Source: The year of the redhead

Derogatory phrase 'ginga' used in mainstream press article

The slang phrase 'ginga' has been used in the opening paragraph of an article concerning Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

How many Aussie gingas does it take to make history?

Source: Aussie redheads call shots in NZ House

Recognising talent unacceptable when coming from a fellow red head

Recognising talent in another red head is "shameful" according to Belfast Telegraph pundit.

Wee Gordon Strachan continued his audition for the role [of Sky Sports News Presenter] during ITV’s coverage of the Southampton v Man Utd game.

While he may not be sexist, racist, ageist or anything else, he shot himself in the foot with the worst case of pro-gingerism I’ve ever witnessed.

“The best English midfielder since I’ve started watching football,” Strachan said of Paul Scholes, and we nodded knowingly. Shameful.

Source: Billy on the Box: Savage ready to step in for the cavemen