They may be ginger, but their skin is not.
In a seemingly paradoxical study, American researchers found that redheads have supernaturally high pain tolerance – wait for it – because of a mechanism that increases their susceptibility to sunburn.
“These findings describe the mechanistic basis behind previous evidence suggesting different pain thresholds for different pigmentation backgrounds,” said Dr. David Fisher of Massachusetts General Hospital in Massachusetts. He led the fiery study published in the journal Science Advances.
The study found that the cells that determine skin color – called melanocytes – play a huge role in determining how people experience pain.
Because fire-haired people have a defective melanocyte, they cannot process enough dark pigment to tan, which has the added effect of raising their pain threshold.
Don’t worry, none of Ron Weasleys were harmed in the name of science. A study of mice with red fur revealed that their melanocytes functioned in the same way as those of humans with rusty heads.
Like all people, those with crimson curls – the rarest hair color – have a melanocyte receptor called melanocortin 1, whose primary guideline determines when the body produces a dark brown and black color, the Daily Mail reported.
However, in redheads, the receptor does not function, making their pale skin virtually incapable of tanning and making them more vulnerable to sunburn.
Fortunately, despite their increased sensitivity to the sun, these “vermilion hairs” are also less likely to burn.
The aforementioned bad receptors reduce the production of a chemical called POMC, causing lower levels of various hormones. This, in turn, balances pain-relieving and pain-promoting receptors, enhancing the function of the pain-relieving opioid sensors that are not produced by the skin color cells.
As a result, redheads have a higher pain tolerance than their blonde and dark brown brethren.
The aim of the study is not to confirm the ‘South Park’ stereotype that gingers have bizarre superpowers (even if they are scientifically proven to smell sexier, among other special abilities).
“Understanding this mechanism provides validation of this previous evidence and valuable recognition to healthcare professionals in caring for patients whose pain sensitivity may vary,” said Dr. Fisher.
The Scut Farkuses of the world aren’t the only ones who can endure abnormal abuse. A 2019 study found that women are the superior sex when it comes to coping with past pain.