Red hair

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Red hair, sometimes called ginger, is a natural hair color found in a small share of people—about 2–6% of those with Northern or Northwestern European roots. It comes from a version of the MC1R gene on chromosome 16. This gene causes the body to make more reddish pheomelanin pigment and less dark eumelanin, giving hair its characteristic color.

Color can vary from deep burgundy or coppery to auburn, orange-red, or strawberry blonde. People with red hair often have pale skin, freckles, and lighter eye colors, and they usually tan poorly and can be more sensitive to UV light.

Geography and history
Red hair is most common in northern and western Europe, especially around the British Isles. Scotland has one of the highest proportions of redheads in the world, followed by Ireland and Wales. The trait spread to other parts of the world as people moved to the Americas, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.

Genetics and variation
Red hair is usually inherited in an autosomal recessive way, meaning a child can have red hair if both parents carry the gene variant, even if neither parent is redheaded. The MC1R gene has several variants that can cause red hair, and some people also have other genes that influence the color or how it shows up in different parts of the body (like beard vs. scalp hair). In general, eight or so MC1R variants are most strongly linked to red hair, and many people with red hair carry one or more of these variants.

Why it looks the way it does
Hair color depends on two pigments: eumelanin (dark) and pheomelanin (reddish). Redheads have more pheomelanin and less eumelanin, which also helps explain why their skin tends to be lighter and freckling is common. Low melanin in the skin means sun protection is important, and a sunburn can happen more easily. Some researchers also note that red hair can be linked to certain patterns of pain sensitivity and anesthesia response, partly because MC1R is involved in other body systems beyond hair color.

Culture and stereotypes
Red hair has a long and varied cultural history. The term “redhead” has appeared in English for centuries, and in Britain and Ireland the word “ginger” is sometimes used (often in a teasing way). Stereotypes about redheads—such as fiery tempers—have appeared in literature and media, and there have been periods of prejudice or harassment in different places. Fans celebrate red hair with festivals and events in several countries, such as the Redhead Day festivals in the Netherlands and the Irish Redhead Convention.

Other notes
Red hair is rare, but not disappearing. Its distribution is tied to historical population movements and genetic drift. While red hair is most common in Europe, it appears in small numbers in other populations around the world. Hair often darkens with age, and some people use hair coloring for different looks.

If you’re curious about red hair genetics or how it might affect health or sun safety, talk with a healthcare professional or a genetics expert.