World Redhead Day

Redheads are sensitive to temperature changes, especially UV rays, so they should not be exposed to too much sun. On the other hand, they produce higher amounts of vitamin D in low light conditions. In addition, when they have to undergo surgery, they need 20% more anesthesia than others.

The so-called Redhead Day is a peculiar celebration that is defined by the physical characteristic of being born with red hair color. People who are redheads have a higher proportion of pheomelanin, a substance that defines both skin and hair pigment. Similarly, a mutation in the MC1R gene causes some people to have orange hair. This mutation arose about 50,000 years ago and it is necessary for both parents to have the mutation of this gene for the color to be represented in their offspring.

The unique holiday started in the Netherlands. A photographer in 2006 was looking for people with this hair color. Through the publication of an advertisement he managed to gather redheads in the city of Breda and from that moment on, every September 7, redheads around the world celebrate "red pride" day.

Globally, 1 in 100 people in the world are redheads, with the highest concentrations in countries such as Ireland (11%) or Scotland (13%). Other countries with an above-average percentage are England (6.5%) or the United States (2%).

In 2011, Ireland joined the festivities with the celebration of the Redhead Convention in the city of Cork at the end of August. At this festival, the "ginger" kings and queens are elected.