So why do some men have red hair in their facial hair (beard and moustache) but not on their heads? It turns out that the hair on our heads and the hair on our faces are controlled by different sets of genes. It’s not uncommon for men with red beards to have family members with red hair, even if they themselves have a different hair colour on their heads.

The science behind red beards and moustaches

Red hair in a beard can be a striking and distinctive feature, but have you ever wondered why some men have this genetic quirk? In this blog post, we’ll explore the science behind red beards and why they occur.

Melanin controls beard and moustache colour

First, it’s important to understand that the colour of our hair is determined by a pigment called melanin. Melanin comes in two forms: eumelanin, which is responsible for brown and black hair, and pheomelanin, which is responsible for red and blonde hair.

The MCR1 gene and beard colour

The amount of each type of melanin in our hair is determined by our genes. Specifically, a gene called MC1R is responsible for the production of melanin in our hair. There are several variants of the MC1R gene, and some of them lead to the production of more pheomelanin, resulting in red or blonde hair.

Red beards can occur in any ethnicity

It’s also worth noting that red beards and moustaches aren’t limited to men with fair skin. While red hair is more common in people of Celtic and Northern European descent, it can occur in people of any ethnicity.

Embrace your red beard

So if you’re one of the lucky few with red facial hair, embrace it! It’s a unique and eye-catching feature that sets you apart from the crowd. And if you’re not a fan of your red beard and moustache, remember that hair dye is always an option, or you can choose to keep your face clean shaven.

Conclusion

Red beards and moustaches occur because of a genetic quirk that results in the production of more pheomelanin, which gives hair a red or blonde colour. The hair on our heads and our faces are controlled by different sets of genes, which is why some men may have a red beard and moustache but not red hair on their heads.

And don’t forget to check out our article on the Vikings and red hair.