Hair colour is determined by the amount and type of melanin pigments produced by hair follicles. Melanin comes in two types: eumelanin which produces brown and black hues, and pheomelanin which produces red and blonde hues. The combination and ratio of these melanins determine someone’s natural hair colour.
What is strawberry blonde hair?
Strawberry blonde hair is often considered one of the rarest natural hair colours. It falls somewhere between blond and red hair, exhibiting qualities of both. Strawberry blonde hair has a golden blond base with slight reddish undertones running throughout. When sunlight hits it, the red highlights become more prominent. The amount of red can range from just a tint to up to about 30% concentration mixed with blond.
This distinctive hair colour results from having a relatively even mixture of pheomelanin and eumelanin. Not enough pheomelanin to make fully red hair, and not enough eumelanin to make fully blond hair. It takes a precise ratio to create the strawberry blond effect.
How rare is strawberry blonde hair?
Determining the exact rarity of any hair colour is difficult. However, strawberry blonde is generally estimated to occur naturally in 1-2% of the population. That would indeed make it one of the rarest hair colours.
Here’s a breakdown of the estimated frequencies of natural hair colours in the world:
| Hair Colour | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Black | Over 45% |
| Brown | Over 40% |
| Blond | 5-10% |
| Red | 1-2% |
| Strawberry Blonde | 1-2% |
As you can see, black and brown hair make up the vast majority of natural hair colours. Blond hair is relatively rare at 5-10% of the population. True bright red hair occurs in only 1-2% of people. And strawberry blonde is estimated to be just as uncommon at 1-2% frequency.
So while not the absolute rarest hair colour (that award would go to true redheads), strawberry blonde is undoubtedly one of the most uncommon shades.
Is strawberry blonde hair more common in certain ethnicities?
Genetics and ethnic ancestry play a major role in determining natural hair colour. Those with Northern or Western European heritage have higher incidences of blond and red hair. Meanwhile, strawberry blonde hair almost never occurs naturally in populations indigenous to Africa, Asia, or the Americas.
The pigment pheomelanin which produces strawberry blonde hair is most common among Celtic and Nordic people. Up to 10% of the Irish population and 40% of the Scottish population carry the recessive red hair gene, compared to just 1-2% worldwide. Other northern areas like Scandinavia, England, Wales, and northern Germany also have higher occurrences of blond and red hair types.
Within these ethnicities, strawberry blonde hair frequents in people with mixed genetic backgrounds – some combination of blond and red-haired ancestors. The intermingling lightens what would otherwise be more reddish hair. Hence why strawberry blonde is sometimes referred to as “Celtic blond” hair.
What causes strawberry blonde hair?
As mentioned, strawberry blonde hair results from a specific balance of pheomelanin and eumelanin pigments. Two copies of a recessive gene variant determining pheomelanin production is needed to express this rare hair colour.
The key gene involved is MC1R – the melanocortin 1 receptor gene – which helps regulate pigment production. Certain variants in MC1R lead to increased pheomelanin and reduced eumelanin. When two copies of a pheomelanin-boosting variant are inherited, it lightens the hair towards red or blond tones. Combined with some eumelanin still present, strawberry blond hair can occur.
The specific MC1R variants linked to strawberry blond hair include R160W and D294H. These are fairly rare forms of the gene. Other variants like V60L and V92M are more common and produce brighter reddish hair when two copies are present.
Overall, it takes just the right combination of genetics and inheritance of recessive gene variants to create that delicate strawberry blond balance of melanin pigments.
Is strawberry blonde hair more common in women?
Anecdotally, strawberry blonde hair seems to appear more frequently in women than men. However, scientifically it has not been proven to be gender-linked. The MC1R gene and red hair variants are carried on autosomal chromosomes, not sex chromosomes. So there is no genetic reason for this hair colour to favor one sex over the other.
Some theorize that hormonal differences may play a role. Increased estrogen levels in females during puberty could potentially influence melanin production. But the effects of hormones on natural hair colour are not well researched.
Social perceptions may also contribute to any perceived gender difference. Strawberry blond hair may be regarded as more feminine. So it stands out more on women, while going unnoticed or unremarked upon in men.
Overall, current evidence suggests strawberry blond hair has no true gender bias in terms of genetic likelihood. The 1-2% occurrence applies equally to both males and females.
Does strawberry blonde hair change with age?
On average, children tend to have lighter hair that darkens slightly as they mature. Hair also lightens again due to graying in old age. However, strawberry blonde hair colour is pretty stable through adulthood.
Some subtle shifts can happen though. Strawberry blond hair may take on more golden or amber hues later in life as the red fades. Sun exposure and chemical treatments can also strip some of the red pigment over time.
While small natural changes are possible, strawberry blond hair generally does not darken all the way to brunette with age. At most, the reddish tones diminish a bit into a person’s 50s and beyond. But the underlying blond base remains constant.
Is dyed strawberry blonde hair as rare as natural?
Strawberry blond is a popular and sought-after hair colour for dyes and highlights. However, it’s not necessarily super rare among hair dye trends.
Blond hair overall is dyed much more frequently than darker shades. Within blond shades, strawberry blond sits somewhere in the middle in terms of popularity.
Platimum and beige blonds are likely the most common dye jobs. Meanwhile, vivid copper and auburn red shades are on the rarer end of the spectrum.
Salons report strawberry blond as a relatively common request. But it’s not nearly as prevalent as basic blonding services. Among reddish tones, most ask for more bold rather than subtle strawberry hues.
So while not the rarest hair dye, true strawberry blond is also not wildly popular. It provides a nice balance as a flattering choice that flatters many complexions.
Conclusion
With its beautiful blend of golden blond and a touch of red, strawberry blonde hair is undoubtedly one of the rarest natural hair colours. Occurring genetically in just 1-2% of the world’s population, the chances of having true strawberry blond locks is quite slim. Even in ethnic groups with higher rates of blond and red hair, the precise combination of melanins needed to create this hair colour is uncommon. So next time you spot someone sporting those sought-after strawberry blond tresses, know it’s a special sight! They are one of only a very lucky few able to rock that gorgeous in-between shade.
