Red hair is a natural hair color that ranges from deep auburn to bright copper. It is caused by a variation in the MC1R gene, which affects the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for hair, skin, and eye color. Red hair is relatively rare, occurring in about 1-2% of the global population, with the highest concentrations found in Scotland and Ireland. People with red hair often have fair skin and freckles, which can be attributed to lower levels of eumelanin. This unique combination makes red-haired individuals more sensitive to sun exposure, requiring them to take extra precautions against sunburn.