Do blondes really have more fun?
Hair color determines one’s fate
By Amylynn Pastorella
M
any medical journals have researched and studied the ways hair color can affect a woman’s
health. A decade’s worth of clinical studies show that there is a strong link between a woman’s natural hair color and her chances of developing diseases and disorders. Read on about how a particular hair color affects health. • Redheads: It is suggested that red heads should pop in ibuprofen (Advil) when they go to the dentist office and remind the hygienists of their naturally red hair. A 2009 Cleveland Clinic study found that ginger-haired people tend to be particularly resistant to local anesthetics used in dentistry. Besides making for a painful cleaning, that hypersensitivity to pain may lead to anxiety about dental procedures. “Painful procedures can lead women to avoid going to the dentist and this hypersensitivity can also apply to surgical procedures,” said Dr. Daniel Sessler, lead researcher for the study. “Redheads also require more general anesthesia,” said Sessler. Other things that redheads should be conscious of is their higher risk for developing Parkinson’s disease and being more high strung or anxious. There is nearly a 50 percent greater chance for redheads to get Parkinson’s disease. The gene that is responsible for fiery hues is headquartered close to a gene that, if mutated, can increase the risk for Parkinson’s disease and proximity can be all it takes to make one gene affect another. • Blondes: With light hair and fair skin, blonde haired women are susceptible to having eye issues and a greater chance of skin cancer, specifically melanoma. According to the American Society of Cosmetic Dermatology and Aesthetic Surgery, blondes produce less melanin, the cells that give hair and skin its pigment. It can leave them especially sensitive to sunburns, sun damage and developing skin cancer. On the lighter side of the spectrum, blondes are most likely to shine. Blondes always get credit for having all the fun, but there has been specific Page 20
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proof that they have some of the shiniest hair. Blonde hair has a certain characteristic that allows it to reflect light better while still appearing to have soft, warm tone, according to the Journal of Cosmetic Science. • Brunettes: Dark-haired women are more likely to smoke. The melanin that gives hair its chocolate color also slows the liver’s ability to metabolize nicotine, making it stay in the body’s system longer. Research also shows that brunettes have less of a chance to develop multiple sclerosis but are more likely to get lymphoma. “Women with dark hair have a certain DNA coding that not only affects pigment, it increases the risk for this disease,” said Dr. Marit Bragelien Veierod of the Institute of Basic Medical Sciences in Oslo, Norway. Although they have some health concerns to keep in mind, brunettes are not damsels in distress. According to studies, women with dark hair are least likely to be needy. Perhaps if Rapunzel had dark hair, she would not have needed to be rescued.
Impact on personality
As hair color can have its affects on health, hair color can give woman certain personality traits that make them who they are. Blondes are sexy, redheads are hot headed and brunettes are “good” girls. Is this the message your hair color sends? “I see so many women with different hair colors every day and I can see that each color has its own personality trait,” said Tricia Caruso, a cosmetologist at Hair East Salon in Utica. “Many women also come in to either change their hair color or add color to their natural locks depending on what is going on in their lives at the moment. It may also give them the lift they need,” said Caruso. Take some time to consider what hair color is doing in regards to health issues. Do not treat hair as only a fashion accessory; take some time to look into what hair means for health. In the meantime, remember that hair color and style says a lot about a person. A gorgeously colored, well-styled head of hair will give people the impression of someone who is put together and professional. An edgy haircut with a dramatic color gives the impression of a creative, unique personality.
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2011