AFTERCARE
Yellowing/Staining

Integral films are notorious for yellowing in dark storage, which is due to and why dark storage should be avoided if at all possible. If dark storage is unavoidable, allowed several weeks for an unopened image to dry fully and a few days for an opened image in a container that allows for air circulation such as a paper storage box as this reduces the risk of yellowing. Also, make sure the films lie flat; storing the images on their sides increases the chances of yellowing as well as the film being bent. When you retrieve opened images from these containers, you should wear a surgical mask, gloves and work in a well-ventilated space.

If you have old Polaroids that have yellowed, setting them in florescent light or daylight for a few hours to a few days as this will help correct it, but the image must be monitored carefully to avoid fading, which is all too possible when integral images are left in direct light.

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