Gray hairs have more damaging chemicals like hydrogen peroxide and less of the protective enzymes that normally keep those chemicals in check.

As we age, our hair might turn gray because of a buildup of a natural chemical called hydrogen peroxide in the hair, and our body's ability to clean it up weakens — this messes with the pigment-making process in hair.

Scientists think that when there’s too much damage from natural body chemicals (oxidative stress) and not enough protection from helpful antioxidants, it might cause hair to turn gray earlier than normal.

As we age, damage from oxidative stress can harm the cells that give hair its color, especially because the body’s natural antioxidants weaken over time — this leads to grey hair.

Going gray isn’t just about getting older — it’s because of damage from stress inside the hair roots, where too much hydrogen peroxide builds up and the body can’t fight it off anymore.

Too much stress from oxygen-related chemicals in your hair roots might damage the cells that give hair its color, leading to gray hair — especially when stuff like hydrogen peroxide builds up and harms those color-making cells.