Trending on Google and throughout social media, not to mention the beach, the "Face-kini" has taken Chinese beach-goers by storm this summer.

Face-kini appears to be the ultimate sun block.

Not only are they turning heads. They're covering heads as well.

A lightweight face-knit, or ski-type, mask for the beach, called a balaclava, Face-kini-clad beach-goers from Qingdao up the Shandong province coastline are covering themselves head-to-collarbone with wetsuit-like fabric face masks. A somewhat unsettling sight to behold, head coverings come in as many colors and designs as humanly possible.

Like Us on Facebook

Face-kini even have gotten into the heads of Paris haute couture. Parisian fashion houses this summer have featured massive fashion shoots and commentary based on the humble Face-kini. Vogue Paris ran a special photo shoot in a secial biennial edition of the prestigious CR fashion Book. Designer Face-kinis can cost from USD$16 to USD$24.

Face-kini look a lot like those strange Mexican Lucha Libre wrestling masks. With slits and slots for eyes, nose and mouth, Face-kini can be coupled with full body wetsuit if so desired.

Usually, though, Face-kini seem to complement swimwear. Google and social media has been abuzz with photos and stories about the new craze this year. Reaction ranges from praise to puzzlement.

Mass-manufactured masks sell for around USD$4, about 25 yuan. Some discount models go for as little as USD$2.50.

They were first created around 2005. The fad, or perhaps, fact of life has quietly gained momentum before exploding beachfront in the last two years.

Considering Qingdao in northeast China has about 9 million people, that's a lot of potential Face-kini sales. Chinese media reports many of the maskers are middle-aged and retired women who swim often in the ocean.

From a few sleepy and odd-looking sales, Face-kini has really taken off in popularity for people who don't believe sun screen or whatever SPF is enough when it comes to warding off sun UV rays which can cause skin cancer.

Known in Chinese with a word translating into English as nylon sunscreen mask, Face-kini also are said to protect against jellyfish and mosquito bites.

Now, they're available at leading Shandong swimwear shops up and down the coast.

Tagstrending, fads, Facekini, block sun, Society, Cancer, sun block, Beach, Skin Cancer, cancer prevention, Fashion, paris couture