what is the cause of red hair
and ancestral genetic mutation
a hormone imbalance
an error in keratin production
The cause of red hair is primarily due to an ancestral genetic mutation. Specifically, it is caused by a mutation in the MC1R gene, which affects the production and function of a pigment called melanin. The MC1R gene is responsible for determining the type and amount of melanin produced, with mutations leading to a decrease in eumelanin (dark pigment) and an increase in pheomelanin (red pigment). This genetic mutation is usually inherited from parents who carry the gene but can also occur spontaneously.
While red hair can be associated with certain hormone imbalances, such as increased levels of sex hormones during puberty, these imbalances are not the primary cause of red hair. Similarly, an error in keratin production, which is responsible for hair growth and strength, can potentially affect the appearance and health of hair, but it is not directly related to the development of red hair.