Dread of red-head gene adds years to appearances

By Peter Spinks
Updated May 3 2016 - 1:33pm, first published April 29 2016 - 7:26am
The impact of aging on facial appearance, as illustrated by the average face of 12 women aged 47 years (right facial side) and 12 women aged 70 years (left side). Photo: Fan Liu
The impact of aging on facial appearance, as illustrated by the average face of 12 women aged 47 years (right facial side) and 12 women aged 70 years (left side). Photo: Fan Liu
Redheads from across Australia march in Melbourne's recent Ginger Pride Rally. Photo: Chris Hopkins
Redheads from across Australia march in Melbourne's recent Ginger Pride Rally. Photo: Chris Hopkins
Tim Minchin, proud ginger  Photo: Adam Fulton
Tim Minchin, proud ginger Photo: Adam Fulton

Why do people sometimes appear to be younger than others of the same age? The culprit turns out to be an innocent-sounding gene, MC1R, responsible for producing, among other things, locks of fetching red hair as well as pale skin, researchers have discovered.

Subscribe now for unlimited access.

$0/

(min cost $0)

or signup to continue reading

See subscription options

Get the latest Wollongong news in your inbox

Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date.

We care about the protection of your data. Read our Privacy Policy.