7 Unique Facts About Redheads

When I was a teenager, I wanted to be everything but a redhead. There was constant teasing, extra sensitive skin and sunburns throughout the year. However, over the years I have learned to embrace my redhead-ness and realized there are many unique things behind this rare color.

To all my fellow redheads, here are 7 facts that will prove just how unique you are!

READ: 5 Reasons I’m Thankful to be a Redhead

1. We are unique

We are rare. We are different. We are unique. Only less than 2 percent of the world’s population are redheads. We are far from the norm.

Fun fact: The majority of redheads (and redhead gene carriers) are found in Scotland.

READ: 13 Fascinating Facts About Redheads Everyone Should Know

2. We are a super rare combination 

Many redheads have brown or hazel eyes. But there are some who have blue eyes. And, like red hair, the gene for blue eyes is recessive, meaning both parents must carry the gene in order to pass it onto their child. This means red hair and blue eyes are the rarest combination in the world – only 1% have both. 

3. We are real-life mutants

Red hair is caused by a mutation in the MCR1 gene. The MC1R gene provides instructions for making a protein called the melanocortin 1 receptor. This receptor plays an important role in normal pigmentation. If the receptor is mutated, meaning not activated or blocked, melanocytes make pheomelanin instead of eumelanin. These genetic variations are most common in people with red hair, fair skin, freckles, and increased sensitivity to sun exposure. Were you aware that you are kind of a mutant?

READ: 5 [MORE] Fascinating Facts About Redheads

4. We have superpowers

You have probably noticed you won’t tan easily or you won’t tan at all. That’s because we have lower amounts of eumelanin in our bodies, resulting in our bodies have to make up for the lack of Vitamin D absorption ourselves. Our redhead superpower: we can do this in a low-light setting, too. 

READ: 8 Historical Facts about Redheads and Witchcraft

5. We have extra knowledge

Throughout history, we redheads were always seen as “something different” and have faced many stigmas. But we now know where they come from. We won’t turn into vampires and we do have souls.

6. We have extra confidence

We are extra confident because from a young age we learn how to deal with being different. Maybe we even carry the trauma our redhead-ancestors had to experience in us? They tease us but it’s only because they want to be us.

7. We’re always standing out

Why blend in when you can stand out? It’s great being a redhead and I’m thankful every day for the incredibly recessive genes that gave me this hair.