Whether you love it or loathe it, there is no disputing ginger hair is something everyone seems to have an opinion on.
Proud redheads love how their unusual colouring enables them to stand out in a crowd. However, those who feel afflicted with ginger hair complain their rare colouring makes them an easy target.
Whatever your position, these red hot facts about ginger hair are sure to enlighten you..
1) So where does red hair come from?
Many assume red hair originates from the vikings – but incredibly, it’s history appears to begin in central Asia. The very first instance is estimated to be up to 100,000 years ago with DNA testing suggesting some Neanderthals had red hair!
2) What are the odds of having red hair and blue eyes?
The rarest eye colour for redheads is blue. Just 0.17 percent of the world’s population – approximately 13 million people – have red hair and blue eyes.
3) Who are the most famous redhead celebrities?
Prince Harry is often billed as the hottest redhead in the world. Lily Cole is one of the world’s most famous redhead models. But the list is endless, other beautiful redheads include Australia’s Nicole Kidman and Isla Fisher. International actors Emma Stone, Christina Hendricks and Gillian Anderson have also amassed legions of devoted fans for embracing their ginger hair.
4) Do all redheads have freckles?
No. Though they are often caused by the same MC1R gene, not all redheads develop freckles. Scientists are yet to pinpoint why, but they have discovered another freckle gene linked to chromosome 4q32-q34. No one is born with freckles because they are caused by exposure to the sun.
5) Do redheads go grey?
Ginger hair keeps it’s natural pigment a lot longer than other shades. So redheads will most likely fade to blonde, then possibly silvery-white – but probably not dull grey. Woohoo!
6) Can redheads get a tan?
If it’s from a bottle, sure! But otherwise, it’s unlikely because of the overwhelming likelihood of burning. Unfortunately, that beautiful porcelain skin produces a chemical which makes it extremely sensitive to UV light and causes painful inflammation. Ouch!
7) Is red hair a mutation?
A mutation in the MC1R gene is responsible for pale skin, freckles and natural red hair.
8) What is the percentage of redheads in the world?
Those who adore their luscious ginger locks will proudly tell you less than two per cent of the world’s population has red hair colour. Though that might sound exotic, it’s still an impressive 140 million people. A whopping 23 per cent hail from Scotland and Ireland. However, contrary to popular belief, a redhead population can occur in any ethnicity; redhead asian people, red hair on brown skin, red hair on black skin and african people with red hair.
9) When is national redhead day?
Though we don’t have a national ginger day per se, there are events that celebrate redheads in Australia. The next one is The Ginger Rally, held at the Ginger Factory in Australia’s Sunshine Coast, on Saturday 6th of October 2018.
10) Is red hair recessive?
MC1R is a recessive gene, which must be passed down from both the mother and father.
11) Are there more women or male redheads?
Red hair is naturally more frequent in women than in men
12) Are redheads more likely to get skin cancer?
Unfortunately, the pigment pheomelanin – which gives red hair it’s colour – does make people with ginger hair more vulnerable to melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.
’Even if you’re good about avoiding UV rays — you know, putting on sunscreen, wearing protective clothes and being careful at the beach — it’s still possible this red pigment is related to carcinogenic activity anyway,’ said Dr. David E. Fisher, director of the melanoma program at Massachusetts General Hospital in Charlestown and senior author of the 2012 study
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