80-year-old Indian grandma shares video of her 'natural face lift': But is her 22-second microwave washcloth hack safe?Published on: Aug 23, 2026, 16:04:49 IST

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Surendra Pal says a warm washcloth with Vaseline lotion keeps her skin healthy — calls it her 'natural face-lift'. Is her 22-second microwave hack worth trying?

In a social media landscape dominated by Gen Z and millennial trends and anti-ageing serums, Surendra Pal, an 80-year-old content creator, captivated millions on Instagram with a surprisingly low-effort ritual. Promising a 'natural face lift at 80 years old', she presented a straightforward beauty regimen in an August 9 Instagram video. Also read | Woman shows rubbing banana peel on face works like Botox for brightening skin: But does it really and is it safe?

She shared, "It's very simple. You require only three things: one is a washcloth, the second is Vaseline lotion, and the third is water". The video triggered widespread admiration. Viewers praised her vitality, with one commenter sharing, "Not only your skin but the whole body posture is not as per your age! Commendable." Another wrote, "Even at 80, she is going strong and competing with Gen Z, doing a good reel on Instagram… bravo". Yet behind the enthusiasm lies a familiar internet dilemma: Is this beauty trick effective, or even safe?

How the microwaved washcloth method works

Surendra began her skincare routine by placing a washcloth on a counter, pouring water over it, and placing it directly into the microwave for 22 seconds. "I really believe I have less wrinkled, healthier skin in my age group," she explained to the camera, adding that friends and family frequently remark on her youthful appearance.

Once heated, she pumped Vaseline lotion generously onto the warm, damp cloth. She then pressed the cloth onto her skin, gliding it outward and upward across her cheeks, upper lip, lower lip, smile lines, and jawline. "Your jaw line, this is very important, because this, with the time, with the age, with the gravity, it pulls down. You look old. Pull it up from the chin to the jaw line, jaw line all the way up," she advised, continuing the sweeping motions across her forehead, eyebrows, crow's feet, nose, and neck. She added, “I repeat it two times… I really love it. Every night I do it. And I feel really clean after doing it.”

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A post shared by Surendra Pal (@surendrapal999)

Dermatologist warns against risks

While her radiant demeanour is indisputable, a dermatologist urged caution before replicating the routine. "This method should not be considered a natural face lift, because placing a warm, wet washcloth on the face and applying petroleum jelly may temporarily make dry skin look softer, smoother and slightly plumper by increasing surface hydration, but it cannot tighten facial muscles, stimulate a lasting lift, or reverse sagging skin," Dr Shireen Furtado, senior consultant in medical and cosmetic dermatology at Aster CMI Hospital, Bengaluru, told Lifestyle. Also read | Woman says drinking okra water for 6 months ‘changed her life’, improved gut health: Doctor reveals if it actually works

Dr Furtado pointed out specific hazards regarding the heating process: "The microwaving step should be avoided, because a wet washcloth can heat unevenly and may become hot enough to cause burns or irritation, while there is no scientific evidence that heating the cloth for 22 seconds provides a face-lifting benefit; if warmth is desired, a clean washcloth soaked in comfortably warm water is a much safer option".

For long-term skin health, she suggested sticking to proven fundamentals rather than internet hacks: "For a more natural and healthy appearance, focus on proven skincare habits such as daily sunscreen, adequate moisturising, gentle cleansing, good sleep and a balanced diet, while remembering that petroleum jelly mainly helps prevent moisture loss and does not provide a permanent lifting effect, so persistent skin sagging or concerns about facial ageing are best discussed with a dermatologist."

Surendra Pal's charisma remains undeniable — as she put it herself, "At my age, 80, it's pretty good". But while her joyful approach to ageing is worth emulating, you might want to leave the microwave out of your skincare routine.

Note to readers: This report is based on user-generated content from social media. .com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.

This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice.

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