Most redheads have a gene mutation in the melanocortin 1 receptor MC1R. When MC1R is inactivated, the body produces more pheomelanin, which is responsible for reddish skin and hair tones, than eumelanin, which is responsible for shades of brown and black. In people with an activated MC1R, eumelanin can balance pheomelanin, but in redheads, the gene variant prevents that.
Whether you have one or both MC1R gene copies inactivated can also determine the shade of red hair you have, from strawberry blonde to deep auburn to bright red. This gene is responsible for freckles in many redheads, too.
You might believe that because these genetic traits are rare, they could be diluted out of the gene pool entirely. When a person has a child, they can pass their recessive gene information to their offspring, and the trait could win out. Red hair is more common in women, according to research. However, Caucasian males are more likely to have blue eyes than females, research shows.
As for the combination of the red hair and blue eyes, little research has looked at which sex is more likely to develop this uncommon characteristic combo. In fact, redheads have some other rare tendencies. 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. The lack of eumelanin also causes fair skin. As you might have noticed, there are different shades of red hair. It all depends on the combination of eumelanin and pheomelanin that each redheaded person has!
And what controls how much of each type of melanin your body makes? Multiple different genes are in charge of working together to give you your specific hair and skin color. In fact, skin and hair color depend on a bunch of different genes working together. There are dozens of genes that are known to affect hair color, and hundreds of genes for skin color. And we surely even have more to discover! For example, hormones can cause blonde hair to get darker as children get older.
Some other factors can lead the hair color to fade, including stress, sunlight, smoking, a poor diet…. All of that means that even if two people have the exact same combination of multiple genes … they might still have different color hair. Hair color genetics is surprisingly complicated! There are a lot of different genes that impact hair color, plus a lot of non-genetic factors.
Scientists are still looking into the genetics of hair color, so I am sure we will have more definite answers in the near future! By Marina Sumarroca, Stanford University. Genetics Home Reference: Is hair color determined by genetics?
Science Daily: Scientists discover 8 additional genes linked to red hair. NYTimes: The pain of being a redhead. Building confidence in this area is the key to becoming a better stylist, empowering you to deliver the results that your clients are looking for. Sign up for the new Confidence Behind Formulation course with Christine, where you'll learn the fundamentals of color theory and real, tactical skills that will allow you to formulate with the confidence that you need!
You can also sign up for our free Successful Smudging Masterclass by clicking the button below. The Painting Collection Apparel. FAQs Contact. When it comes to hair color formulation, it can sometimes feel overwhelming for stylists. With a seemingly infinite number of situations you may encounter, it can often be difficult to feel confident in your ability to deliver the results your clients are after.
Having a clear understanding of the basics of color theory can help build your confidence and allow you to become more comfortable working with different hair colors. Below is some advice to bear in mind when working with different hair colors, plus a handful of example formulas to try for redheads, brunettes, and blondes.
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