Red hair

Red hair is a hair color shared by several species, among them humans, orangutans and horses. Although red hair in the human population is most commonly associated with those of British or Irish descent, red or reddish-tinged hair can be found in many parts of the world. Some believe that the cluster of red-heads in the British Isles can be associated with Pictish or Celtic ancestry and certainly Scotland has the highest proportion of red-heads of any country worldwide with 13% of the population having red hair.

It is estimated that between 2% and 5% of the United States population have red hair.

Red hair is significantly thicker than the hair of people of European descent with other hair colours. The numerical density of hairs on the head in red-heads is also lower.

Table of contents

1 Biochemistry and Genetics of Red Hair 2 Famous redheads 3 Myths about red-headed people 4 Most common eye colors for redheads 5 External Links

Biochemistry and Genetics of Red Hair

The biochemistry of red hair appears to be associated with the melanocortin-1 receptor while the red colour itself is produced by an iron compound.

The genetics of red hair are now being uncovered, together with connections between red hair and melanoma and other skin disorders, and red hair and problems with anaesthesia.

Famous redheads

• King David
• Oliver Cromwell
• Nicole Kidman
• Elizabeth I of England
• Thomas Jefferson
• Judge Marilyn Milian from The Peoples Court

Myths about red-headed people

to be written

See also: strawberry blonde, melanocytes, melanin, keratinocytes, henna

Most common eye colors for redheads

• Green - the most common
• Brown - the second most common
• Blue - the third most common
• Hazel - the fourth most common

External Links

• Box NF, Wyeth JR, O'Gorman LE, Martin NG, Sturm RA. Characterization of melanocyte stimulating hormone receptor variant alleles in twins with red hair. Hum Mol Genet. 1997 Oct;6(11):1891-7.
• OMIM entry on red hair
• The roots of red hair

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