How Come I Get Red Bear Hair But I Have Brown Hair?
This weird phenomenon I have always wondered about
The red hair in beards is caused by a mutation in the MC1R gene, which appears on chromosome 16 in the DNA sequence[1][2][3][4].
This gene plays an important role in making a protein involved in the production of melanin, which determines red hair[1]. Inheriting two mutated versions of this gene results in all red hair[2][3], while having one mutated version can cause some hairs to be red while others are not[4].
The daily environment can also affect beard color, as certain products and lifestyle choices can lead to more or less pigment production[5].
What are the odds I have this mutation?
The odds of having the MC1R gene mutation depend on whether or not both parents carry the gene.
If both parents carry the gene, there is a one in four chance their baby will have red hair, a two in four chance they will be a carrier of the gene, and only a one in four chance of not passing on the gene at all[6].
