Redheads aren’t really all that medically scary, are they? Maybe not, this study says

Redheads account for about 1% to 2% of people on the planet, so what’s with all the crazy myths about redheads? British researchers set out to examine whether healthcare professionals really need to be more careful with red-haired people during surgery.

Here’s what Julie Deardorff says about the study in the Chicago Tribune blog Julie’s Health Club: “Though redheads have a bizarre medical reputation for excessive bleeding and greater pain sensitivity, they pose no greater risk during surgery than those sporting blond, brown or black tresses, according to research published Thursday on Bmj.com.” Check out the full post and the original British Medical Journal report.

Still, there’s one risk factor where red hair does matter. Redheads and blonds have a higher risk of developing melanoma skin cancer and need to take precautions, this fact sheet from the American Academy of Dermatology says.

And those of you who dye your hair red, just ignore all this.