The Pheomelanin Mystery

I have the red hair gene from both sides of my family. My father was a cute little freckle-faced-redhead as a child, somewhat resembling little Opie Taylor of Mayberry. My mom is/was a redheaded beauty with green eyes. My maternal grandmother was also natural redhead. She had that magnificent color of red like Marcia Cross or Julianne Moore that we all envy so much. Grandma had the "redhead" personality to go with it. She was a bit of a spitfire! Well, admittedly, all the women in our family are!

Once I was born, one could tell that I had a bit of a red tint on the top-o-my head. And as I got older and my hair grew longer, I loved the shade of my hair. I was the only girl I knew whose hair color changed naturally with the seasons. Even though I prefered to spend my summer days in the dark cool basement of our suburban Utah home, my hair would be a beautiful strawberry-blond color. Come winter, my hair would go a slightly darker shade of brown. Only when the light hit my head just right would someone suggest that I was actually a redhead. Sadly though, as I got older, my red faded and then I was left without that red luster that I adored so much about my natural hair color. But for a little over a year now I am happy to report that with a little help from my dear colorist, Dean, I am red again!

What is this mystery and phenomena surrounding redheads? According to wikipedia (my favorite online source) Red hair is the rarest type of natural hair color in humans and the reasons for its occurrence are unclear. The pale skin associated with red hair may be of advantage in far-northern climates where sunlight is scarce. ** Curse the fair skin! It is difficult knowing I can't ever be a beautiful glowing brown***
Aside from the obvious science of red hair and why it exists is the mystery beneath the psyche of a redheaded person. There are studies that say redheads bruise easier, that they either have a higher or lower pain tolerance, and that they have trouble going under and coming out of surgery because their bodies don't take well to anesthesia. This has been proved true time and time again with my mother, an aunt, and some fellow redheaded cousins.

Among other things that I have read there is proof that in paintings, mythology and literature, of redheads they are often being portrayed as difficult, sexually rapacious, and even, in an ancient echo to the modern science story, extraordinarily resistant to authority. !!!!!

Through my research I discovered a lot more about the red hair and those who wear it than I thought I would. I am also eager to report, after being a strawberry-blond, a sorta brownish type, a dark black-hair, and a redhead I can say without any hesitation that people treat me differently, in general, based upon the color of hair that I am wearing. Some good, some bad, some just plain obviously strange. When I had black hair random strangers would start conversations with me all the time. I would have many more-than-obvious second glances. However, with red hair, people look but they don't talk. I have LESS conversation with strangers but the same amount of "glances". It isn't good or bad, just different and interesting.

All in all I will say I enjoy my red hair and the heritage that it resonates throughout history as well as my family. I know grandma is smiling down on me from heaven, while telling grandpa that she's happy I got rid of that black hair and came to my senses with red. Which is also how my mother sees things. For now the world will be red to me!