proud to be a redhead(ish)

some facts which - finally - make me feel less awkward and whiny:

• scientists have found that redheads, carriers of a particular variant of the melanocortin-1 receptor gene (MC1R), appear more sensitive to pain and temperature than darker haired folk (would explain why I can't stand the sun - I);

• redheads are more sensitive to ultraviolet light, which is why they burn more easily in the sun, and it predisposes them to skin cancer (would explain why I can't stand the sun - II);

• redheads have some of the thickest hair, not the most number of strands but the thickest. an average head of hair has about 100,000 strands; redheads average 900,000; blondes 120,000 (would explain why I used to need two persons at the same time to comb and iron my hair LOL);

• there is a belief that redheads are prone to industrial deafness, which actually could be true as the melanocytes are found in the middle ear (would explain why I can't stand loud music anymore);

• redheads don't turn grey: red hair turns sandy, then white. they are also found to loose their color later in life than people carrying other hair colors (yey!);

• bees are thought to sting redheads more than others (would explain why I am terrified of bees more than of any other insect/animal in the world);

• the highest percentage of natural redheads in the world is in Scotland (13%), followed closely by Ireland with 10% (always wanted to move to the UK eheheh).

... and suddenly all my lifelong traumas are explained... by the rare and stunning red hair color!

oh joy! :-D