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Face-kini, Face Mask Bathing Suit, Is Popular On Chinese Beach (PHOTO)

First Posted: 08/21/12 09:02 AM ET Updated: 08/21/12 10:56 AM ET

For something less revealing this summer, take a look at the face-kini, the ultimate alternative to slathering on sunblock on trips to the beach.

The full head mask, often worn with an accompanying body suit, is the latest swimwear innovation in the Chinese resort town of Qingdao, The New York Times reported.

The summer accessory is a must-have for many Chinese women who prefer a fair-skinned complexion over a suntan.

A bronze tone has traditionally been equated with doing physical labor while pale skin indicates a person of status who doesn't work outdoors, NBC News said.

That value of beauty is still alive today with some and can be seen along the shore of Shandong province, where women have been wearing the coverings that have openings for their eyes, nose and mouth.

As an added benefit, the masks are credited with protecting against insects and jellyfish, the Daily Mail said.

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  • CHINA-LIFESTYLE-BEACH

    This picture taken on August 16, 2012 shows Chinese beachgoers wearing body suits and protective head masks, dubbed 'face-kinis' by Chinese netizens, on a crowded public beach in Qingdao, northeast China's Shandong province. The face masks were initially designed to protect from sunburn but it turns out they are also quite handy at repelling insects and jellyfish, as many people in China dislike getting a tan, especially on the face. CHINA OUT AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read AFP/AFP/GettyImages)

  • CHINA-LIFESTYLE-BEACH

    This picture taken on August 16, 2012 shows Chinese beachgoers wearing body suits and protective head masks, dubbed 'face-kinis' by Chinese netizens, on a crowded public beach in Qingdao, northeast China's Shandong province. The face masks were initially designed to protect from sunburn but it turns out they are also quite handy at repelling insects and jellyfish, as many people in China dislike getting a tan, especially on the face. CHINA OUT AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read AFP/AFP/GettyImages)

  • CHINA-LIFESTYLE-BEACH

    This picture taken on August 16, 2012 shows Chinese beachgoers wearing body suits and protective head masks, dubbed 'face-kinis' by Chinese netizens, on a crowded public beach in Qingdao, northeast China's Shandong province. The face masks were initially designed to protect from sunburn but it turns out they are also quite handy at repelling insects and jellyfish, as many people in China dislike getting a tan, especially on the face. CHINA OUT AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read AFP/AFP/GettyImages)

  • CHINA-LIFESTYLE-BEACH

    This picture taken on August 16, 2012 shows Chinese beachgoers wearing body suits and protective head masks, dubbed 'face-kinis' by Chinese netizens, on a crowded public beach in Qingdao, northeast China's Shandong province. The face masks were initially designed to protect from sunburn but it turns out they are also quite handy at repelling insects and jellyfish, as many people in China dislike getting a tan, especially on the face. CHINA OUT AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read AFP/AFP/GettyImages)

  • CHINA-LIFESTYLE-BEACH

    This picture taken on August 16, 2012 shows Chinese beachgoers wearing body suits and protective head masks, dubbed 'face-kinis' by Chinese netizens, on a crowded public beach in Qingdao, northeast China's Shandong province. The face masks were initially designed to protect from sunburn but it turns out they are also quite handy at repelling insects and jellyfish, as many people in China dislike getting a tan, especially on the face. CHINA OUT AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read AFP/AFP/GettyImages)

  • CHINA-LIFESTYLE-BEACH

    This picture taken on August 16, 2012 shows Chinese beachgoers wearing body suits and protective head masks, dubbed 'face-kinis' by Chinese netizens, on a crowded public beach in Qingdao, northeast China's Shandong province. The face masks were initially designed to protect from sunburn but it turns out they are also quite handy at repelling insects and jellyfish, as many people in China dislike getting a tan, especially on the face. CHINA OUT AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read AFP/AFP/GettyImages)

  • CHINA-LIFESTYLE-BEACH

    This picture taken on August 16, 2012 shows a Chinese beachgoer a wearing body suit and protective head mask, dubbed 'face-kinis' by Chinese netizens, on a crowded public beach in Qingdao, northeast China's Shandong province. The face masks were initially designed to protect from sunburn but it turns out they are also quite handy at repelling insects and jellyfish, as many people in China dislike getting a tan, especially on the face. CHINA OUT AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read AFP/AFP/GettyImages)

  • CHINA-LIFESTYLE-BEACH

    This picture taken on August 16, 2012 shows a Chinese beachgoer a wearing body suit and protective head mask, dubbed 'face-kinis' by Chinese netizens, on a crowded public beach in Qingdao, northeast China's Shandong province. The face masks were initially designed to protect from sunburn but it turns out they are also quite handy at repelling insects and jellyfish, as many people in China dislike getting a tan, especially on the face. CHINA OUT AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read AFP/AFP/GettyImages)

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04:10 PM on 08/27/2012
Technicolor Terrorists...
09:29 PM on 08/26/2012
Why not just stay off the beach...or go to an indoor swimming facility?
11:43 PM on 08/26/2012
Because indoor pools have a struct no sailing, no surfing, no powered boat policy?
12:11 AM on 08/25/2012
I'll pitch in for Michelle Obama to get one...
05:53 PM on 08/24/2012
I'm a guy who would wear one on the river (if it is comfy). Being Finnish and living in south Texas, I get murdered by the sun. I cake sun block, wear pants; sunblock can be a bother, and I sometimes opt for an umbrella. It is not hard to get enough vitamin D in my situation. Really fair skin is that way so that even in Finland, it can get enough vit D to pass through. So, in Texas, I prob just need a few minutes of sun a day. If my ancestors had evolved here, their skin would be more concerned with blocking uv rays rather than gathering vit D, i.e. it'd be darker.

Tracie may be right to say it is too hot for those in Texas. But, if they are cooler than they look, i'm down.
05:48 PM on 08/27/2012
Try wearing a sun mask. It's a fabric tube that covers from the nose down. Lots of fisherman wear them because the sun reflects up off the water.
05:22 PM on 08/24/2012
How scary to see if you open eyes after dozing off...LOL
05:18 PM on 08/24/2012
How hot is it in there??? In SE Texas,couldn't happen.Heat would make you pass out and drown.
06:52 PM on 08/23/2012
Very unhealthy. Your skin needs to breathe and it needs to be exposed to the sun to create natural Vitamin D.
08:39 AM on 08/22/2012
As an added benefit, if you don't look good in your suit, no one knows it's you.
05:21 PM on 08/24/2012
I guess for some that's a plus and a neg. for others.It sure would enhance body flaws...yuk