Red hair is a rare hair color that occurs naturally in 1-2% of the human population. But what exactly qualifies as a redhead? There is actually quite a bit of nuance and debate around defining who can be considered a true redhead.
The Genetics Behind Red Hair
In order to understand what constitutes a redhead, it helps to first look at the genetics behind red hair. Red hair is the result of a genetic mutation in the MC1R gene. This gene provides instructions for making a protein called the melanocortin 1 receptor, which is involved in pigmentation. The MC1R gene mutation causes the melanocytes (pigment producing cells) to primarily produce a reddish form of the pigment called pheomelanin instead of the more common dark brown pigment eumelanin.
There are actually multiple possible MC1R gene variants associated with red hair. The most well-studied ones are known as R151C, R160W, and D294H. Individuals who are homozygous for one of these red hair gene variants (meaning they inherit the same variant from both parents) typically have bright “ginger” red hair and very fair skin that burns easily in the sun. Meanwhile, those who are heterozygous for a red hair gene variant (they inherit a red hair variant from just one parent) can have a wider range of hair colors from strawberry blond to auburn.
The Red Hair Color Spectrum
Given the genetics behind red hair, there is actually a full spectrum of hair colors that qualify as “redhead”. This includes:
- Strawberry blonde – a lighter blonde mix with hints of red
- Golden red – a vibrant reddish blonde
- Copper – a metallic reddish orange shade
- Auburn – a rich red-brown
- Chestnut red – a deeper red-brown
- Ginger – a fiery orange-red
- Burgundy – a deep red wine color
- Mahogany – a dark red-brown
So if the question is “what counts as a redhead”, the answer is any hair color on the spectrum from strawberry blond to mahogany. However, there is still debate around whether the paler blonde-red shades truly qualify as “redhead” or if that term should only apply to more vividly red shades.
Defining a True Redhead
There are a few schools of thought around what level of redness is required to truly be considered a redhead.
- The Genetic Definition – This view holds that anyone who inherits an MC1R red hair gene variant counts as a redhead, regardless of how red their hair actually appears. Even someone with dark strawberry blonde hair would qualify based on their genetics.
- The Visible Redhead Definition – This perspective argues that in order to be a redhead, the color must clearly be visible. Pale blonde shades don’t count even if there is a genetic predisposition for red hair. Only vibrant shades like ginger, auburn, or burgundy red meet this threshold.
- The Purist Definition – Some insist that only those with very intense fiery red shades count as true redheads. Auburn would qualify but darker red-browns like mahogany would not. By this standard, only 1-2% of people meet the criteria for being a redhead.
There is validity to each of these definitions. Ultimately it is subjective where to draw the line. A persuasive argument could be made to consider strawberry blondes as redheads based on genetics. Meanwhile, insisting on only the most vibrant reds excludes many people who face the same sun sensitivity and societal perceptions commonly experienced by redheads.
How Redheads are Classified
Given the lack of consensus on what precisely counts as a redhead, various classification systems have been developed to categorize the wide range of red shades:
| Fitzpatrick Scale | Description |
|---|---|
| I | Pale white skin, blond or red hair, blue/green eyes, always burns easily, never tans |
| II | Fair skin, freckles, blond, red or light brown hair, blue/green/hazel eyes, usually burns easily, tans minimally |
| III | Creamy white skin, fair with any hair or eye color, sometimes mild burn, gradually tans |
| IV | Moderate brown, typical Mediterranean caucasian skin, rarely burns, always tans well |
| V | Dark brown skin, Middle Eastern skin types, very rarely burns, tans very easily |
| VI | Black skin, extremely rare burns, tans profusely |
The Fitzpatrick scale classifies pale redheads who always burn as Type I and strawberry blonde to light auburn redheads who sometimes burn as Type II.
| Ichthyosis National Foundation Scale | Description |
|---|---|
| I | Pale white skin, blonde hair |
| II | Fair skin, red hair |
| III | Dark blonde/light brown hair, fair skin |
| IV | Olive skin, brown/black hair |
| V | Brown skin, black hair |
| VI | Dark brown to black skin |
This scale defines natural redheads as Type II, separating them from paler blondes and darker brunettes.
| Light to Dark Shade | Redhead Color Range |
|---|---|
| Light | Strawberry blonde, golden red, copper |
| Medium | Auburn, chestnut red |
| Dark | Ginger, burgundy, mahogany |
This simple classification divides redheads into light, medium and dark shade categories.
How Redheads are Identified
In practice, redheads are identified through visual inspection of hair color and perception of common redhead features. This leads to subjectivity and misidentification in borderline cases of strawberry blonde or faded red shades. Ways redheads are identified include:
- Salon hair color classification – Hairstylists visually assess hair color to classify clients as blondes, brunettes, redheads, etc. However, salon terminology varies and strawberry blonde may be considered blonde or redhead.
- Social consensus – In social settings, redheads are identified colloquially based on majority perception of hair color at first glance. Minority views may disagree on fringe shades.
- Self identification – Individuals often self-identify based on their own perception of having red hair. This can vary from genetics alone to visible color.
- Official identification – Some governments ask citizens to identify hair color on official documents. Standards may not provide objective guidance.
- Computer analysis – Emerging digital image processing research aims to detect red hair objectively based on color values. However, accuracy depends greatly on algorithms.
Given the complex variation in red hair coloring, all current identification methods have some limitations and inconsistencies for fringe shades of redhead. Clearer standards may evolve as computer color detection technology improves.
Prevalence of Natural Red Hair
Estimates of the prevalence of natural red hair vary based on the criteria used:
- Narrow definitions limiting redhead to only fiery ginger shades lead to estimates of 1-2% of the population having natural red hair.
- Broader definitions including light strawberry blondes may put the figure closer to 2-6% of people having some natural red hair.
- The red hair gene variants can be carried recessively by up to 10% or more of the population, leading to potential for redheaded children.
- Regions with high genetic heritage from western/northern European countries like Scotland and Ireland have higher redhead proportions approaching 10%.
- Red hair is rarest among populations with African, Asian or Southern European ancestry, with prevalence below 1% in those regions.
In summary, a minority of 1-10% of people globally have some degree of natural red hair, with true fiery reds at the lower end of 1-2% and carriers of red hair genes potentially up to 10% or more of populations with substantial genetic descent from northwestern Europe.
Changes in Red Hair Prevalence
The prevalence of people exhibiting visible red hair has decreased over the past century due to the following factors:
- Global movement and mixing of genetics means fewer regions have concentration of red hair genes.
- Hair dyeing has become popular for covering up natural red hair.
- Beauty standards preferring dark hair lead more to cover up red locks.
- Those embracing natural red hair are still a minority counter to prevailing beauty norms.
- Increased sunscreen use prevents light-induced darkening of fair red hair.
However, the underlying gene variants that code for red hair persist in populations at similar historical rates, even if outward expression of red hair has declined. Advocacy for embracing natural red hair has made a comeback in recent decades.
Is Red Hair Going Extinct?
Despite the decline in visible red hair in the 20th century, red hair is not in danger of going extinct any time soon. Here’s why:
- The MC1R gene variants associated with red hair have persisted for thousands of years and remain at typical levels in populations.
- Hair dye and other covers do not affect the underlying genetics being passed to children.
- Recessive genes can resurface after skipping generations, leading to redhaired babies from dark haired parents.
- Only very extreme isolation could potentially eliminate red hair genes from a population.
- Globalization is likely to maintain genetic diversity and prevent loss of red hair genes.
- Red hair is starting to be more appreciated as unique and attractive, ensuring the trait persists.
Barring some major collapse of civilization that isolates certain villages and reproduces only with locals for many generations removing genetic variation, red hair will almost certainly persist. The gene variants are too widespread and robust after thousands of years to disappear anytime soon.
Conclusion
Defining what counts as a redhead is a complex balance. Broad definitions based on genetics alone risk obscuring the unique challenges facing people with visible red hair. Meanwhile, narrow definitions leave some fringe shades like strawberry blondes unrecognized. There is validity to recognizing the diverse spectrum of red hair while also appreciating the most iconic fiery reds. Ultimately any red tint resulting from mutations to the MC1R gene could potentially be considered red hair. But casual identification will likely continue to focus on shades that are vividly and clearly red to the eye.
