A strange new trend is going viral in corporate towers across China, with employees sitting at their desks lathered in SPF, wearing full-face UV protection masks. They sometimes even sit under mounted sun umbrellas. As per the South China Morning Post (SCMP), tech professionals have shared their images and videos on local social media platforms Xiaohongshu and Douyin.
The bizarre trends reflect a growing anxiety among young professionals who believe their 9-to-5 environments are accelerating the physical signs of ageing.
All of this to protect their skin from “office ageing”.
Rather than viewing the office as a shelter from the harsh outdoor environment, workers view it as a silent culprit behind premature ageing. When it comes to China, the trend is not all about cosmetic vanity. Observers have highlighted that the intense pressure of China’s competitive workplace environment leaves employees feeling physically burnt out.
