by Lela M.
Member since:
August 10, 2007

Following Up on Decline of Redheads Repost

October 13, 2007 04:58 PM EDT (Updated: December 18, 2007 04:08 PM EST)
views: 166 | rating: 10/10 (31 votes) | comments: 45


I just wanted to clarify for some who commented on my last article and thought that redheads are dieing out. As I stated in my article there is no scientific proof that the MC1R mutant recessive gene will die out anymore than any other hair color. I think that since redheads are not as prevalent as other hair colors that there is always going to be someone who thinks that it will die out eventually. As I stated in my last article, you don't even have to be redheaded in order to have natural redheads. Both parents simply must have the MC1R gene and there will be redhead children. It would be very hard to kill out this gene.

In my research, I have also found out that blondes have the same rumor spreading about them as well. I don't think that is likely to happen. As rare as true blondes are, there are still more blondes than redheads.

I just wanted to set the record straight. Redheads Unite. (LOL)

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Comments: 45

lynn a. Oct 13, 2007, 5:00pm EDT
Thank you for the information. I missed something so was not worrying that red heads would die out, but during the course of your article I did, and am so glad that this will not likely happen. Now, what about gray heads?
Vivian P. Oct 13, 2007, 5:02pm EDT
long live the redhead. now what about curls ?
Chick J. Oct 13, 2007, 5:04pm EDT
I don't care what color hair as long there is some.
Janine D. Oct 13, 2007, 5:05pm EDT
I married a redhead, produced no red hair children, but I did my best:) Hope redheads are around forever.
Margaret G. Oct 13, 2007, 5:05pm EDT
Doubt that redheads will ever die out.
I have a grandson thats the only red head on both sides of his family this gives pause...
Lela M. Oct 13, 2007, 5:23pm EDT
Lynn, I am glad that you now know that redheads are not likely to die out. I really don't know about gray haired people, but I know that if my husband did not have gray hair he wouldn't have any hair at all. He went gray when he was 25. LOL

I would love to have curls, Vivian. I have straight hair and I don't know what gene would give a person curly hair. My redheaded sister had wavy hair and during our teenage years she would have my iron her hair so that she would have the current style. It always hurt me to have to iron her hair because I always wanted that wavy hair.
Alainia~ Tha one n only~ a. Oct 13, 2007, 5:26pm EDT
I'm glad to hear blonde's are not dying out either! I guess it really doesn't matter to me though, I am a blonde with 6 dark brown haired children!
Steph-in-NE ..... Oct 13, 2007, 5:28pm EDT
I have three red head step sisters.....
Steph-in-NE ..... Oct 13, 2007, 5:29pm EDT
they each have one to two red head so it happening a this end
robert w. Oct 13, 2007, 5:50pm EDT
Thanks for the information Lela. I was unaware that there was a rumor
that redheads or blondes were dieing out. No redheads in my family. rpw
that's okie dokie with me Lela....


from the auburn side of town..
denise e Oct 13, 2007, 6:05pm EDT
thanks for the updates.
Kylee **Queen of Karaoke** S. Oct 13, 2007, 7:45pm EDT
Interesting fact, I was wondering how my red-headed cousin, whose parents are not red-heads, got her red hair
Jerry Owens Oct 13, 2007, 8:34pm EDT
The rumors of both red-heads and blondes dieing out have been around for awhile and are not based on any kind of scientific fact. Long live diversity!
Terry M. Oct 13, 2007, 9:04pm EDT
I have not been home much, and behind.
As one of the rare natural red heads with green eyes . . . er . . . uhm . . . what was I going to say? My train of thought got derailed.


Long live redheads!
Denise B. Oct 13, 2007, 9:48pm EDT
I have dark brown/black hair hubby has black hair, our son has RED hair. I know the gene is in both our ramilies though. my brother has a son with RED hair also. is funny when people see us though
donna h. Oct 13, 2007, 10:51pm EDT
thanks for info
Emma L. Oct 14, 2007, 12:36am EDT
My sister was born a redhead, although it changed to a more blondish color. I have super red hair- dyed...but am naturally auburn...neither of our parents are.
Dawn S. Oct 14, 2007, 12:51am EDT
There is certainly not a shortage in my family. We are about half red-heads on my Mom's side and curly too. Mostly hazel eyes as well, green and brown mix. My Aunt's kids are the exception though, they have blue eyes and we have know idea where the three of them got them.
3 of my kids look like my Dad's native american roots. I like my hair but have to admit I wish I had gotten my Dad's lovely skin tone like them. My youngest is fair like me and we both burn like anything in the sun.
Brenda S. Oct 14, 2007, 6:03am EDT
Yeah, I was shocked to give birth to a redhead, since his Dad & I were both brunettes.
Corinna Parr Oct 14, 2007, 9:35am EDT
My siblings used to tease me because I was the only redhead in the family. The only child with dark eyes, too. Now I have proof that I am not the milkman's child after all, ha.
j - Frugal Mom - r. Oct 14, 2007, 11:07am EDT
Thank you for posting your article to !!!Today's Top Photos and Articles!!!@

http://bestoftoday.gather.com/
elizabeth e. Oct 14, 2007, 4:14pm EDT
Does that mean William Wallace, the "famed" Braveheart hasn't died?
norman chambers Oct 14, 2007, 11:15pm EDT
Another urban legend that refuses to die!
robert g. Oct 15, 2007, 12:10am EDT
Redheads and blonds may be dieing out, but the number of redhead and blond wanna bees seem to be increasing.
Barb M Oct 15, 2007, 1:57am EDT
Ha-ha Robert - it's true - since I am 80% gray and have been since my early 30's I consider myself a red-head albeit chemically enhanced of course - but hey - I'm keeping the red heads alive (hee-hee)
Cathi H. Oct 15, 2007, 7:47am EDT
The sad thing is that most redheads seem to fade out after a while, either turn blonder or browner. That is, before the white and gray take over. My brother went blondish while my hair turned more brunette.
Lela M. Oct 15, 2007, 10:23am EDT
Actually, my grandmother had red hair until she was in her 90's. Then she went gray but it always had a tint of red in it and I know that she never colored her hair. True redheads are able to keep the red hair longer than any other hair color. I don't have any gray hairs and I am going to be 51 in two days.
Beaker (just Beaker) Oct 15, 2007, 1:19pm EDT
My red hair turned very dark when I moved up north, away from the sunshine. Now it just looks brown. But my kid has the most beautiful red hair you ever saw--it would win any competition. Not that orangey red, but real red--with light hazel-brown eyes. I love it.
Beaker (just Beaker) Oct 15, 2007, 1:20pm EDT
(Obviously my icon is my "before" picture, lol.)
Charlotte Babb Maven-Fairy Godmother Oct 21, 2007, 4:29pm EDT
Since the gene is recessive, it's much less likely to disappear, even though it still fairy rare to see redheads. My mom has red hair, and I used to have red highlights, even though my hair is grey. ANy haircolor I used tends to turn red.
Dee - Nature Babe! Oct 23, 2007, 6:31am EDT
we are both dark haired, as children we were blondish. My girls were as well. Now my son, is hair has only gotten darker in the past year and it is still just a dirty blond. Not a brunette yet. was hoping he'd stay blond. LOL he is 11
Deborah O. Oct 27, 2007, 8:41pm EDT
I wonder if Auburn hair counts? ;-)
Suze P. Oct 29, 2007, 10:05am EDT
There's plenty of redheads in my family.. unfortunately not me, but cousins and uncles and aunts and my niece and 1 nephew as well...though I'm sorta dark blondish, its really weird that when I try to dye my hair blonder, it comes out with reddish highlights ..even though my natural color is nowhere near red ::shrug::
Charlotte Babb Maven-Fairy Godmother Nov 7, 2007, 9:33pm EST
I think some folks are afraid that we will all become so homogenous with brown hair and dark eyes and olive to brown skin....I think the combinations of genes will never average out.
K D. Nov 17, 2007, 8:31pm EST
This redhead is alive and well!
Elizabeth Madrigal Nov 23, 2007, 2:34pm EST
My sister has brown hair, her ex had blond hair and out of four kids they got three redheads. They all look like him, by the way, so don't make wisecracks.:)
Mc Lovin - Loves to rate. Jan 23, 2008, 6:03pm EST
well im a true redhead and when i moved to my new home from where i grew up i was pleasantly surprised by the VAST amount of redheaded children in my new community. LOL they are springing up like weeds all over! I dont beleive the MC1R gene will die out anytime soon. Just lay dormant until two people with the gene unite.
Nana to Seven Cutiepies Mar 10, 2008, 3:56pm EDT
I see more children with red hair now than I did growing up! While I didn't have any children with red hair, and my parents didn't have red hair, my uncle did and I have two beautiful redhead grand daughters. My daughter married a red haired fellow and their children where bound to have red hair IMHO. Growing up I often only had one or two classmates in the entire school with red hair. Now you see a lot more than that in any school. I don't think red hair is dying out at all.
Antoine D. Mar 15, 2008, 5:21pm EDT
I'm moving back to Arizona soon, which seems to be the national headquarters of redheads. They are everyhwere. Viva la Rojo!
Andrea "slackermom" R. Mar 16, 2008, 9:44pm EDT
I'm a redhead and so are my mom and sister. My kids are not though. I've got to admit to being slightly disappointed.
Donna S. Jun 22, 2008, 11:41am EDT
I am keeping the population going I have added two red head daughters to the gene pool.

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