Patriot Realm

Yesterday, I went to see my Mum, Redhead. She needed a haircut. You see, her hair grows very, very quickly. My blonde hair takes months to grow as enthusiastically as hers does. Why does some hair grow quicker than others?

I will get onto that later in this article, but for the moment, what is it about hair colour? Really? Why do people prefer blondes? Brunettes? Redheads?

Before you think you are going to read about the ultimate answer to this puzzling question, well, nah.  It ain't gonna happen. 

OK. The lead photo is a bit misleading but if I had put a photo up of my Mum having a haircut, I doubt I would get many readers. 

People think that blondes have more fun.

Brunettes are more mysterious.

Redheads are more fiery. Well,I have a redheaded mother and a redheaded daughter and several redheaded grandchildren and I can tell you they leave the rest of us for dead.

They are badarse. 

The origins of red hair can be traced back to a genetic mutation that occurred thousands of years ago. The gene responsible for red hair, MC1R, dictates the production of a pigment called pheomelanin, which results in the characteristic red or orange hue. This mutation is more commonly found in people of Northern and Western European descent, with Scotland and Ireland having the highest percentages of redheads. However, red hair can be found in diverse populations around the world.

Roughly one to two percent of the world’s population are born with natural red hair - that’s still a sizable number of about 140 million. 
There are more redheads in northern and western Europe than in any other region on earth, where an average of up to six percent of people have red or ginger hair.

Ireland boasts the highest national average of redheads with 10 percent, while Scotland comes a close second with six percent.

The growth rate and thickness of hair are primarily determined by genetic factors and individual characteristics rather than the color of the hair. Red hair, like any other hair color, grows at an average rate of about half an inch (1.25 cm) per month. Factors such as age, health, and genetics play a more significant role in determining the speed and thickness of hair growth.

Each person's hair growth cycle consists of three phases: anagen (growth), catagen (transitional), and telogen (resting). Genetics largely determine the duration of the anagen phase, which influences how long hair can grow.

While there is no scientific evidence to suggest that red hair grows more quickly or thickly than other hair colors, some studies have explored specific characteristics of red hair. For instance, red hair tends to retain its color longer than other shades, and the individual hair strands may be coarser. These factors can contribute to the perception that red hair appears thicker or more vibrant.

One advantage with redheads is that they rarely grey. Red hair is a very natural pigment and will last for a very long time compared to other hair colours. The only thing red heads have to worry about is that red hair might simply fade some as they age and possibly turn into either a rosy blonde color or possibly a copper faded color.

What is interesting about redheads is that people with red hair produce vitamin D more efficiently in less sunlight, making their bones stronger and leaving women more likely to survive pregnancy and childbirth in primitive times. No wonder Mum is such a strong woman at 91!

Some studies propose that redheads may be more sensitive to pain, requiring higher doses of anesthesia during medical procedures. While the scientific evidence is not conclusive, it adds an intriguing layer to the redhead mystique.

Throughout history, there have been many notable individuals with red hair, whose accomplishments have left a lasting impact on various fields. Here are some famous redheads from history:

1. Queen Elizabeth I (1533-1603): The iconic Tudor queen, Elizabeth I of England, was known for her red hair. Her reign (1558-1603) is often referred to as the Elizabethan Era, a time of cultural and economic growth in England.

2. Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890): The post-Impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh, known for masterpieces like "Starry Night" and "Sunflowers," had distinctive red hair. His artistic contributions have had a profound influence on the world of art.

3. Winston Churchill (1874-1965): The British statesman and Prime Minister during crucial periods of World War II, Winston Churchill, was known for his leadership skills and his signature red hair.

4. Lucille Ball (1911-1989): The legendary American actress and comedian Lucille Ball, best known for her role in the classic sitcom "I Love Lucy," was a famous redhead. Her contributions to television and comedy have made her an enduring icon.

5. Maureen O'Hara (1920-2015): An Irish-American actress, Maureen O'Hara was often referred to as the "Queen of Technicolor" due to her vibrant red hair. She starred in numerous classic films, including "The Quiet Man" and "Miracle on 34th Street."

6. Ron Howard (b. 1954): A well-known actor, filmmaker, and director, Ron Howard started his career as a child actor on "The Andy Griffith Show" and later gained fame for his role as Richie Cunningham on "Happy Days." His red hair has been a distinctive feature throughout his career.

7. Prince Harry (b. 1984): Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, is a member of the British royal family known for his red hair. He has been involved in various charitable activities and served in the British Army. Isn't it amazing that it took so many centuries for another redhead to be born into the family? Hmm.... but I digress. 

8. Julianne Moore (b. 1960): An Academy Award-winning actress, Julianne Moore is known for her striking red hair and her versatile performances in films such as "Boogie Nights," "Far from Heaven," and "Still Alice."

The combination of having both red hair colour and blue eyes is extremely rare.

Blue eye colour is a recessive trait, which means both parents must carry the gene for the child to be born with it. As previously mentioned, ginger hair occurs naturally in an average of just two percent of the world’s population, while only 17 percent of humans have blue eyes.

This makes the odds of having both unusual features highly unlikely - in fact, it is the rarest physical combination in the world! Most natural redheads have brown eyes, followed by green or hazel coloured irises. My ex was a redheaded blue eyed fellow. He turned out to be a martian. 

Some redheads are like martians from another planet. There is something, as Dame Edna would have said, " spooky " about these unpredictable and fiery people. As has been mentioned here on many occasions, Redhead is able to disappear down one of Flysa's black holes in the supermarket and reappear through a wormhole at the checkout. It is wondrous to behold her in action. 

In Australia, our most famous redhead is our Pauline. Since bursting into politics back in 1996. 

Her prophetic words are more powerful today than they were in 1996. 

1996: “Wow, what a complete racist Pauline really is!”  

2024: “Wow, Pauline was 100% right all along!”

I have to love a redhead and, in my opinion, we should have more.