Redheads, however, have low levels of eumelanin and high pheomelanin levels. In place of tanning comes an inability to protect itself naturally against UV exposure, and so redheads tend to burn more quickly and frequently if not wearing sun protection. Redheads' skin does contain some eumelanin, though.
Is it rare for a ginger to tan?
Red hair is the rarest natural hair color in humans. The non-tanning skin associated with red hair may have been advantageous in far-northern climates where sunlight is scarce.