China sees 'facekinis' become new fashion trend amid scorching temperatures
Full-face masks have become popular as people look to keep their skin fair and healthy
Reuters
Soaring temperatures in China have left many resorting to wearing full-face masks to protect themselves from UV radiation.
On beaches up and down the country, bathers aplenty have been seen sporting the ‘facekini,’ which is a balaclava-like invention.
Facekinis are full-face masks with holes for the wearer’s eyes, nose and mouth, which can be used while bathing and swimming.
With temperatures climbing well over the 35C mark in China, people have also sought out sleeves, hats, fans, and hats with built-in fans.
A facekini
Wikimedia Commons
There has also been an uptick in popularity of the lightweight UV-resistant jacket.
Facekinis and full-face masks are popular for they prevent UV rays damaging the skin, and help to keep the wearer’s complexion pale.
Across East Asia, a fair complexion is often seen as the desirable skin tone, for it denotes the individual’s class.
Far from a Western influence, the desire for a pale complexion stems from the Industrial Revolution, when skin tone became a visible class marker.
It comes after China recorded its highest ever temperature on 16 July, seeing 52.2C in Xinjang.
Reuters
Designer Chanel visor paired with a full-face mask
Reuters
Those who worked in hard labour, outdoor occupations were more likely to have a tan.
A salesperson in a hat shop, who gave her surname as Wang, said: “Compared to before the pandemic, two or three years ago, this year is much, much better than previous years.
“Sales volume is definitely up a lot this year.”
Li Xuyan, a 17-year-old who wore a mask covering most of her face on a visit to Beijing, reasoned: “The main concern I have is potential skin diseases, or developing sun spots.”
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A bonnet and face covering combined
Reuters
Earlier on in the week, Chinese state television showed images of tourists taking selfies with a 12-metre-tall thermometer.
The thermometer displayed a real-time surface temperature of 80C at the Flaming Mountains in Xinjiang.
The origins of the facekini are said to date back to 2004, when Zhang Shifan invented the head garment in Qingdao, Shandong Province.
It comes after China recorded its highest ever temperature on 16 July, seeing 52.2C in Xinjang, the UK Met Office reports.
In the US, Death Valley in California neared its highest-ever temperature as it recorded 53.9C on 16 July, just shy of the hottest temperature ever reliably recorded on Earth of 56.7C.
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