New research has shown that even though red hair is rare, there are many reasons to celebrate those who have it, as they have been revealed to be genetically resilient.

The part of the world that is most known for red hair is Northern Europe, with the highest percentage being from Scotland. In Edinburgh, experts believe that 40% of the population carries one of the genes for red hair. In order to produce a redheaded child, both parents need to have one of the gene variants, which is why a family can sometimes have a redhead “out of nowhere.”

Many famous people have had red hair, including Prince Harry, Mark Twain, and Lucille Ball. Even Cleopatra herself was rumored to be a redhead! In her book “The Big Redhead Book: Inside the Secret Society of Red,” Erin La Rosa describes redheads as “the unicorns of the human world,” and that is exactly what they are.

The red hair’s color comes from a mutation in the MC1R gene, which not only produces red hair, but also pale skin and freckles. On top of that, it causes the body to fail to produce skin protective and darkening eumelanin. In Northern Europe, this was actually an evolutionary advantage because pale skin produced vitamin D more efficiently, which gives redheads a huge evolutionary leg-up. The extra vitamin D will make them healthier and better able to endure pregnancy and give birth more safely.

Some research has even found that redheads are better able to tolerate pain. Experts at the University Of Louisville carried out a study that found redheads need about 20% more anesthesia when they are having surgery because they are more resistant to the effects of local anesthesia.

Redheads have often been mocked over the years, but these studies go to show that they have nothing to be ashamed of! In fact, they should be proud of all the positives that come along with their red hair.