But artificial tans sometimes make them end up looking a bit too orange and, well, plastic-looking overall. A better solution? This Solar Tan Swimsuit designed by Jun-hyeon Kim that solves the problem of uneven tanning if they choose to bake for a couple of hours under the sun–without having to be in the buff.

Kim’s concept makes use of a special fabric and a solar panel that’s integrated and sewn into the suit. So the way I see it, it’s like a tanning bed embedded into a swimsuit to tan your, er, privates (for lack of a better word) while the rest of your body soaks up the sun’s rays. No idea on the risks involved with using technology such as this, though.

While I believe Kim is still a far way off from getting the Solar Tan Swimsuit realized, it’s still definitely a good idea and a very interesting concept.

[via Yanko Design]

ThinkGeek’s USB Desktop Tanning Center lets you roast your epidermis to three shades of tan, ranging from Starbucks Vanilla Latte to Ooompa Loompa. It even comes with a pair of those googly eyeball protectors so you can look cool while getting your tan on.

After reading more of the product description, I realized that you’d be pretty hard-pressed to power four 100-watt UV heat lamps via USB. Hopeful that this was an April Fool’s gag, I then checked my calendar, and realized it is indeed January. Then I clicked “Add to Cart”, and I was so relieved.

[via Thoughts from the Sidelines]