Do Redheads Need More Anesthesia Than Blondes and Brunettes?

Less than 2% of the world’s population are natural redheads. So, it may not seem like a big deal whether they need more anesthesia or not, unless you happen to be the one with the red hair.

Redheads experience more pain and require approximately 20% more anesthesia when going into surgery. This is because of the redhead gene. Both parents must pass along a recessive genetic trait for the child to have red hair. They inherit mutations in the melanocortin 1 receptor, or MC1R, on chromosome 16. This gene is responsible not only for hair and skin color but also determines pain response.

Because redheads have less melanin-producing capacity in their skin, they also have more sun sensitivity and are more susceptible to skin cancer than are their dark-haired counterparts. According to the article “Red Alert” on Skincancer.org redheads are:

• More than one and a half times more likely to develop basal cell carcinomas, the most common form of skin cancer.
• More than 12 times as likely to develop squamous cell carcinomas, which can be aggressive.

If you are a redhead, you need to develop a close, personal, relationship with your sunscreen. Research also seems to bear out that redheads are more susceptible to cold and local anesthetic is less effective as well.

Do reds need more meds? The answer is that they may. If you are a redhead please discuss these concerns with your pain practitioner to ensure adequate and safe dosing for anesthesia and pain management.