Redhead Day: 9 fun facts about red hair (2024)

Amanda Kesting| KUSA-TV, Denver

Got red hair? Nov. 5 is your day to celebrate.

It's National Love Your Red Hair Day!

Happy National Love Your Red Hair Day

November 5th is a day to bask in all your ginger glory.

USA TODAY NETWORK

The holiday was started by two redheaded sisters who wanted to help other gingers embrace and love their fiery locks.

To help celebrate, here are nine fun facts about redheads:

  • The highest concentration of redheads is in Scotland (13%) followed by Ireland (10%). Worldwide, only 2% of people have red hair.
  • 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. They are also more likely to be left handed. Both characteristics come from recessive genes, which like to come in pairs.
  • Redheads probably won't go grey. That's because the pigment just fades over time. So they will probably go blonde and even white, but not grey.
  • Rumor says Hitler banned marriage between redheads. Apparently he thought it would lead to "deviant offspring."
  • Redheads most commonly have brown eyes. The least common eye color: blue.
  • Bees have been proven to be more attracted to redheads.
  • Being a redheaded man may have health benefits. A study published by the British Journal of Cancer suggested that men with red hair are 54% less likely to develop prostate cancer than their brown and blonde-haired counterparts.
  • Redheads actually have less hair than most other people. On average they only have 90,000 strands of hair while blonds, for example, have 140,000. However, red hair is typically thicker so it still looks just as full.
Redhead Day: 9 fun facts about red hair (2024)

FAQs

Redhead Day: 9 fun facts about red hair? ›

World Redhead Day celebrates people who have naturally red hair every year on May 26. There are a lot of interesting facts about people who have red hair.

What day is redhead day? ›

World Redhead Day celebrates people who have naturally red hair every year on May 26. There are a lot of interesting facts about people who have red hair.

Who had the first red hair? ›

Estimates on the original occurrence of the currently active gene for red hair vary from 20,000 to 100,000 years ago. A DNA study has concluded that some Neanderthals also had red hair, although the mutation responsible for this differs from that which causes red hair in modern humans.

Does ginger hair go grey or white? ›

One of the many facts about redheads is that their hair will never turn grey. The pigment in their hair that causes it to be red will just fade over time, causing their hair to turn blonde or white, but never grey.

What is rare about redheads? ›

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.

What color should redheads wear? ›

Blue- Royal blue or any deep blue makes red hair pop. Blue teal and turquoise hues, as well the ever popular blue denim, are great choices. Even navy works, especially for brighter red hair colors. Navy and ivory is a winning combo for dress and casual clothes.

Do redheads go GREY or silver? ›

Simply put, achromotrichia is the absence of pigment in the hair. But while non-redheads gradually go grey and then perhaps to fully white hair, redheads actually retain their ginger colour for a lot longer, skipping out the greying stage.

What is National Kiss a Redhead Day? ›

Kiss A Ginger Day is an unofficial holiday celebrated on January 12th each year. It's a lighthearted day dedicated to appreciating and celebrating individuals with red hair, often referred to as “gingers.” This day encourages people to show love and affection to their red-haired friends and family members.

What is the rarest redhead? ›

Rarest kind of redhead

Having red hair and blue eyes is the rarest hair/eye color combination possible. The odds of a person having both of those recessive traits is around 0.17%. Instead, most redheads have brown, hazel or green eyes, according to Medical Daily.

Who is the king of red hair? ›

Henry VIII was famous for his red hair, and his children all seem to have inherited it - certainly the paintings of Edward VI as a child show reddish -blonde hair and his daughter Elizabeth I was proud of having inherited it.

Who are the gods of redheads? ›

Greek mythology depicted the folklore of The Greek Gods and Goddesses. Athena, the Goddess of wisdom and war strategy, and Aphrodite, the Goddess of beauty, love, and pleasure, were believed to be redheads.

Do redheads tan? ›

Redheads can tan, it just depends on how much melanin you have, which enables your skin to turn brown when exposed to the sun. Most redheads are low on this though. A sun tan is actually damage to the skin, so to be safe if you really want a tan then it's probably best to fake it.

Do redheads age well? ›

There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that natural redheads age slower than other people. While some studies have suggested that redheads may have a higher pain tolerance and may be at a lower risk for some diseases, there is no evidence to suggest that they age slower.

Why am I attracted to redheads? ›

Red hair attracts attention because it's more eye catching and rare. Red hair and porcelain white skin make a gorgeous contrast. So many icons that men drool over have been redheads. Even iconic paintings, made for the male gaze, have featured redheaded women.

What do all redheads have in common? ›

Redheads produce more pheomelanin due to genetic changes (called variants) in the MC1R gene found on chromosome 16. This gene provides the code for a protein called melanocortin 1 receptor that is located on melanocytes and is responsible for the type of melanin produced.

How long do redheads live for? ›

Lifespan: up to 20 years in captivity, 5-10 years in the wild. Special Adaptations: Males have an elaborate courtship dance where they throw back their heads, almost touching their tail!

Is red hair attractive on a girl? ›

And many people find them impossibly attractive. And things may be looking up for redheads nowadays, as some more reports suggest that our flame-haired friends may actually have started to become more desirable, not less.

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