All articles tagged with #red hair
World Redhead Day on May 26 shines a light on red hair—with fewer than 2% of people having it and Scotland and Ireland as hotspots—while noting eight genes, including MC1R, influence red hair; the rare blue-eyed redhead combo occurs about 0.17%, redheads may require about 20% more anesthesia, produce more vitamin D, are often overrepresented in ads, and the hair color isn’t going extinct.
A Harvard Medical School study of ancient DNA from about 16,000 people over 10,000 years finds that the genetic variants behind red hair and fair skin may confer immune benefits (including potential HIV resistance and leprosy resistance) and lower arthritis risk, but also raise the risk of Crohn's disease and celiac disease due to gluten sensitivity, suggesting a trade‑off shaped by ancient selection and the spread of wheat farming.
Harvard Medical School researchers analyzed 10,000 years of DNA from about 16,000 people and found that the genetic variants behind red hair and fair skin were favored by natural selection, with potential immune benefits (including HIV resistance and leprosy resistance) and lower risk of certain conditions, but these same genes may raise the risk of gluten-related autoimmune diseases such as Crohn’s disease and celiac disease, possibly linked to the advent of wheat farming; vitamin D production advantages were noted in earlier work.
A large ancient-DNA study of nearly 16,000 West Eurasian individuals finds that natural selection accelerated in the last 10,000 years as farming spread, identifying 479 gene variants tied to traits such as red hair, lighter skin, and lower body fat, with some links to modern diseases like type 2 diabetes and schizophrenia; the researchers have made their dataset public to enable broader cross-population analysis.
A Nature study analyzing about 16,000 genomes across 18,000 years in West Eurasia shows natural selection acted on hundreds of gene variants, increasing light skin and red hair, boosting resistance to HIV and leprosy, and reducing susceptibility to male-pattern baldness and rheumatoid arthritis. The team’s AGES method reveals that recent human evolution continued beyond prior assumptions, with trait shifts likely tied to changing environments and pathogens; data and methods are openly shared to enable further research.
A large study of nearly 16,000 ancient genomes and over 6,000 living people shows natural selection continued in Europe for more than 10,000 years, increasing red-hair/fair-skin genes and other advantageous variants while factors linked to disease risk fluctuated; selection intensified after farming, with vitamin D adaptation likely helping in low-sun climates, and some obesity-related genes being selected against. The work, focused on West Eurasia, challenges the idea that evolution slowed after modern humans settled into agriculture and is published in Nature.
A Nature study of 18,000-year genomes from West Eurasians shows natural selection boosted lightweight-skin pigmentation, red hair, and resistance to HIV and leprosy, while lowering the frequency of male-pattern baldness and rheumatoid arthritis risk. Using a new method called AGES, researchers detected fine-scale directional selection over millennia and say patterns likely reflect changing environments and pathogens; the team plans to extend the approach to other regions like East Eurasia.
A video shared by Meghan Markle shows her daughter Lilibet with her natural red hair, confirming her appearance as a lookalike of her father, Prince Harry, and highlighting her as a proud, nature-loving young princess. The post celebrates International Day of the Girl and emphasizes themes of legacy, empowerment, and family heritage.
Pamela Anderson debuted a new red hair color, receiving widespread praise for how it enhances her appearance, with many fans saying it suits her skin tone and gives her a timeless, mature look.
Pamela Anderson has debuted a new copper-red hairstyle and a shaggy mullet at Paris Fashion Week, signaling a fresh look in preparation for her role in the film 'Love Is Not the Answer,' after years of being blonde.
Pamela Anderson debuted a striking red hair look at Paris Fashion Week, marking a shift from her iconic blonde image to a more natural and minimalistic style, reflecting her recent embrace of a softer, more comfortable self-image.
Emily Blunt, John Krasinski, and their daughters Hazel and Violet enjoyed a rare family outing at the 2025 US Open, showcasing their adorable matching red hair and casual style, with Blunt returning to her iconic red hair for her role in The Devil Wears Prada 2.
Brittany Mahomes, wife of NFL star Patrick Mahomes, has surprised her followers by debuting a striking new look with bright red hair, a departure from her signature blonde locks. Whether it's a dye job or a wig, the change was credited to hairstylist Laura Beth Cabott. The feedback on her new look has been positive, with fans praising her as a redhead, although her new bestie Taylor Swift has yet to react. This transformation comes after Brittany was seen with her classic blonde hair while watching the recent total solar eclipse with her family.
Malia Obama, the former First Daughter, has debuted a bold new red hairstyle after chopping off her long brown hair. The 25-year-old screenwriter was spotted in Los Angeles showing off her auburn locks while leaving a movie theater with a friend. This comes as her sister Sasha hinted at a major lifestyle change by picking up moving boxes. Malia's new look is a dramatic change from her previous long hair, and she seemed to be inspired by her friend who also had red hair. The sisters have been living together in LA, with Malia pursuing a career as a screenwriter and Sasha's future plans still unknown.
Paleontologists at University College Cork have discovered evidence of phaeomelanin, a pigment found in red hair, in a 10 million-year-old frog fossil. This finding will help researchers better understand the color profiles of extinct animals and the evolution of colors in animals. The discovery suggests that red hair gene dates back millions of years and was not exclusive to humans. The study also highlights the potential for exploring biochemical evolution using the fossil record. While red hair was once more common, it now only makes up two percent of the human population, making it the rarest hair color in the world.