--- title: "Colour correction explained | Aaron Russell Handcross | Aaron Russell Hairdressing Handcross" description: "What hair colour correction involves, how many sessions it takes and what it costs, explained honestly by the colour team at Aaron Russell, Handcross." canonical: "https://www.aaron-russell.net/blog/colour-correction-explained" --- # Colour correction explained, timelines, stages, and cost ![Smiling man with trimmed beard wearing dark blazer and polo against bluish-gray background](/_next/image?url=%2Fapi%2Fmedia%2Ffile%2Fharry-1709755396-64x69.jpg%3Fv%3D1780505740390&w=128&q=75&dpl=dpl_5HwZ5btMjd1PN9brRSFBMT929TSC) HarrySenior Stylist PublishedThursday, 11 June 2026 ![Before-and-after hair color transformation from brassy red/purple to smooth chestnut brown](/_next/image?url=%2Fapi%2Fmedia%2Ffile%2Fbefore-after-chestnut-hair-transformation.jpg%3Fv%3D1762954591695&w=1536&q=75&dpl=dpl_5HwZ5btMjd1PN9brRSFBMT929TSC) Colour correction is the process of moving your hair from a shade that has gone wrong to a result that is flattering, even and healthy. That might mean banding from layered box dyes, a colour that came out too dark, or unwanted brass after a lightening attempt. A good correction is a planned journey, sometimes over more than one visit, and it starts with honesty about what your hair can safely do. Here is how we approach it at Aaron Russell in Handcross. ## What counts as colour correction If any of these sound familiar, you are in correction territory rather than a standard colour appointment: - Stripes or bands of different shades from repeated box dye - Hair dyed darker than intended, or black that needs lifting - Orange or yellow tones after home bleaching - Patchy, uneven results from a previous colour - Years of build-up that new colour will not take over evenly The common thread: there is existing artificial pigment in the hair, and removing or working around it is a different skill from applying fresh colour. ## How many sessions will it take This is the question everyone asks first, so here are honest typical ranges. Your consultation and strand test will confirm where you sit. Starting point Typical sessions What to expect in between **Brassy blonde needing neutralising** 1 to 2 Toner and gloss keep you polished throughout **Banding from box dyes** 2 to 3 Depth rebuilt first, then lighter panels added **Dark box dye to lighter brown** 2 to 3 A warm interim stage is normal, not a mistake **Black or very dark to blonde** 3 or more Staged lifting over months to protect hair health > **Harry's tip:** "The interim warm stage is where people panic, and it's the most normal part of the whole process. Dark dye lifts through orange before it reaches blonde. We tone it so you leave looking intentional at every stage, but I'd rather tell you about it at the consultation than surprise you in the chair." ## What it costs and how we keep you in control Corrections are priced by time, product and complexity, so we quote per session rather than a single flat fee. You approve each step before we book it, and we review the plan after every visit based on how your hair responds. Some clients spread the journey with a maintenance gloss or root service between the bigger appointments, which keeps you presentable and moving forward without a large single spend. What we will never do is push your hair past what is safe for a faster result. Once a correction is complete, an ongoing plan with our [colouring team](/service-categories/colouring) keeps it even and avoids the cycle starting again. ## Protecting your hair between sessions Each session builds on the last, so home care is part of the plan, not an optional extra. Use a gentle sulphate-free shampoo, a weekly bond-building mask and heat protection every time you style. Avoid box dyes completely, and go easy on strong purple shampoos, which can stain porous hair during a correction. Bring photos to every visit: tones you love and tones you hate are equally useful. Online photos are often filtered, so we will always talk about what is achievable on your hair, in real light. ## Frequently asked questions ### How much does hair colour correction cost? It varies more than any other salon service because it depends on your colour history, hair length and how many sessions are needed. We assess your hair and give a clear per-session quote at consultation, so there are no surprises. ### Can colour correction be done in one day? Sometimes, if the fix is small, like neutralising brass or evening out one application. Larger corrections, especially dark to light, need multiple sessions because lifting old dye safely takes time. A strand test tells us which camp you are in. ### Why can't I go from dark dye to blonde in one session? Artificial dark pigment has to be lifted gradually, and hair can only tolerate so much lightening in one sitting. Pushing harder risks breakage. Staging the lift protects your hair and gives a better, more even blonde at the end. ### Will colour correction damage my hair? Done properly, no. We strand test first, use bond protection during lightening and stop each session at what your hair can safely take. The damage stories you hear almost always come from rushing the process. ## Ready for a reset? The first step is a consultation and strand test, so we can show you a realistic plan before you commit to anything. [Get in touch with our Handcross colour team](/contact-us) and we will map the safest route back to hair you love. 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