Redheads have less melanin in their skin. Remember, melanin protects your skin from the UV rays and makes you look tan (when melanin spreads out evenly). Due to the low number of melanin, redheads develop freckles like crazy constellations rather than getting tan.
Who gets freckles? Freckles are mostly controlled by the MC1R 'ginger gene' (melanocortin 1 receptor) that redheads have, and a significant number of non-gingers have, too. Of course, there are rare exceptions – some redheads don't have pale and freckly skin, which means that other genes are at play.
It's estimated that somewhere around 80% of redheads have freckles, but did you know we aren't born with them? That's right! Babies are not born with freckles, even if they will end up with them later in life. Freckles usually start appearing sometime between two and four.
Previous studies had shown that redheads inherit two versions of the MC1R gene that leads to red hair – one from their mum and one from their dad. Although almost everyone with red hair has two copies of the red-haired version of MC1R, not everyone carrying two red-haired versions is a redhead.
While it's true that such a mutation in people of Celtic heritage causes the stereotypical dot-dot-dots in fair redheads, variations of the MC1R gene lead to freckles in Chinese, Japanese, French, Mediterranean, Israeli, and certain African ethnic groups as well, explains Sharma.
Freckles or ephelides are hyperpigmented spots observed on skin surface mainly in European and Asian populations.
Freckles are extremely common and aren't a health threat. They're more often seen in the summer. You're more likely to have freckles if you're lighter-skinned and have blond or red hair. However, freckles can occur in anyone, and appear as darker brown spots if you have darker skin.
gingerphobia (uncountable) (UK, informal) Fear, dislike, or hatred of people with red hair.
Less than 2 percent of the world's population has red hair, making it the rarest hair color in the world. It's the result of the mutated MC1R gene. If both parents carry that gene, their child has a 25% chance of getting lovely, red locks, even if the parents don't have red hair themselves.
People with red hair are likely more sensitive to pain. This is because the gene mutation (MC1R) that causes red hair is on the same gene linked to pain receptors. It also means redheads usually need more anesthesia for dental and medical procedures. Having red hair isn't the only thing that makes some redheads unique.
Most (natural) redheads will have brown eyes, followed by hazel or green shades.
Less than 2% of the world's population has red hair. The highest concentration of redheads is in Scotland (13%), followed by Ireland (10%).
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.
REDHEADS are significantly less likely to age badly.
According to their findings, those who carry a variation of the MC1R gene responsible for red hair, look around two years younger than they actually are.
Freckles occur in people with heritage from around the world. Because they're often seen in people with red hair, freckles are commonly associated with Ireland and Scotland, where this hair color is common as well. But anyone can get freckles.
To sum all that science up, red heads have a faulty MC1R receptor which doesn't switch on in response to the sun's UV rays. This means the yellow-red pheomelanin in their melanocytes cannot be converted into the brown-black eumelanin which creates a sun tan.
Lifespan: up to 20 years in captivity, 5-10 years in the wild.
Limited research suggests redheads may be more likely to be left-handed. Like red hair, left-handedness is a recessive trait. In the Western hemisphere, 10 to 15 percent of people use their left hand dominantly. Redheads are thought to be more sensitive to pain, too, research shows.
Navy, cobalt, and soft powder are all great options. Even brighter blues in the turquoise family and deep blueberry colors are other smart choices. A simple denim blue is an easy go-to option that enhances the complexion of the true redhead.
So what does that all mean for your chances of having a red-headed child? Since you need two pieces of “red hair” DNA to have red hair, your child will only have red hair if they receive “red hair” DNA from both parents. Even if you don't have red hair, you can still pass on a red hair allele to your child!
Research has shown that people with red hair perceive pain differently than others. They may be more sensitive to certain types of pain and can require higher doses of some pain-killing medications. However, studies suggest that their general pain tolerance may be higher.
Freckles often show up during childhood, and you may continue to get more until you're in your 20s. People with fair skin or red hair are most likely to have them. There are two types of freckles: ephelides and solar lentigines. Although both are flat spots, they're different in a few ways.
Freckles May Fade
Some people have freckles that fade away almost completely in the winter and return in the summer. Other people's freckles don't change much with or without the sun and can be seen year-round. Freckles also tend to fade as people get older.
Freckles are beautiful
Some of the world's most beautiful people also enjoy flaunting their freckles, so feel free to do the same.