Which hair color has the most individual strands?

Which hair color has the most individual strands?

Natural blondes have more hair strands on their head than people with any other hair color.

The average blonde scalp has 150,000 hairs, while brunettes have 110,000 and redheads have about 90,000. Because blonde hair is thinner, the body grows more strands to ensure the scalp is fully protected from the sun.
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The number of hair follicles on the human scalp is determined by genetics and is closely linked to the concentration of melanin, the pigment that gives hair its color. Research in dermatology indicates that natural blondes possess approximately 150,000 follicles, whereas those with black or brown hair average 100,000 to 110,000. Redheads have the lowest density, typically averaging only 90,000 strands.This variation is an evolutionary adaptation related to hair thickness and UV protection. Blonde hair strands are significantly finer and thinner than darker hair types. To compensate for this lack of volume and the lower levels of protective eumelanin, the body produces a higher density of strands to provide adequate coverage for the scalp against solar radiation.In contrast, dark hair is much thicker and contains high levels of eumelanin, which naturally blocks UV rays. Because each individual dark hair provides more surface area and protection, fewer strands are required to shield the skin. Red hair is the thickest of all varieties, which explains why redheads have the fewest number of individual hairs despite often appearing to have very full heads of hair.Studies published by institutions like the American Academy of Dermatology confirm that while the number of follicles is set at birth, the perceived thickness is a combination of strand count and individual hair diameter. On average, humans lose between 50 and 100 hairs per day as part of the natural growth cycle. However, because blondes start with a higher baseline, their overall density remains the highest throughout their lives.
Verified Fact FP-0004676 · Feb 19, 2026

- Human Body -

blonde hair hair density evolution
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