The reality television seriesDr.
Pimple Popperhas been a secret obsession for many of us for quite some time now.
Dermatologist Dr. Sandra Lee firstpoppedup on our screens backin 2018after a pimple-popping video she posted online went viral.
Television came calling,a skincare linewas created, and even a book was released.
In an exclusive interview withThe List,Dr.
It kind of happened by accident.
It’s a really visual field.
And early on, I noticed it was, like, people were interested in pimple popping.
I posted a blackhead extraction, and people were tagging their friends.
And I thought, “That’s really weird.
Why are people so excited about this video?”
So I did it again, and it happened again.
And really through there, I noticed that there was a thing that people really liked to watch.
It was really satisfying.
It really kind of eased people’s anxiety.
They were just entranced by it.
We have a show on Discovery, wonderful social media, and everybody’s so supportive.
So it’s really lovely.
How were you initially approached by the web link, first off?
And I’m just lucky that I get to see it.
Yes, of course.
So I know the sound of my voice.
So those are probably the things that are off-putting to people in the beginning.
And so, yeah, it’s a big deal.
Is there anything that cameras don’t show viewers on your show?
No, not really.
And for me, when I watch it back, then I’m like, “Wow.”
So it’s more that I don’t get to see it until later.
I feel really lucky to be in this position right now.
I’m just so stressed out," complaining about it.
And it’s really exciting, but actually use that knowledge that you have in your job.
You’re not completely pivoting to something totally new."
And yeah, he’s right.
How did Dr. Sandra Lee get the name Dr. Pimple Popper?
So what’s the story behind the name Dr. Pimple Popper?
I read thatSeinfeldmay have hadsome inspiration.
I didn’t know how to use it.
I’d heard about it, but I didn’t know what it was.
And they share popping videos with each other.
I thought, “This is so weird, but I could be their queen.”
At the same time, I was like, “Wow, this is so crazy.”
Let me go, Dr. Pimple Popper."
So, that’s where it started.
I don’t like to I’m not the kind of person that really accepts compliments really well.
I also feel like it’s superstitious.
It’s not a good thing for me to say, “Oh yeah, thank you.
I am this thing,” because I’m not.
And I think that also helps to ground me too.
No, for sure.
You’re just out and about.
It’s a problem, though, too.
How much time do you spend with patients during the day?
A round of them.
And usually I would include the weekend.
So Thursday through Sunday.
So, it’s arduous.
It’s just a little bit more drawn out.
So, there’s that.
And then there’s seeing regular patients.
How Dr. Pimple Popper first discovered dermatology
What made you initially want to become a dermatologist?
Tell us a little about your journey to get there.
Well, my dad’s a dermatologist.
So I was really introduced to it at a young age.
It was ingrained in me, I guess, or that it was accepted.
I had atopic dermatitis, which is a form of eczema.
And so I knew what these names were, and I knew the kinds of things that you treated.
And I knew that was what my dad did.
It was one that was very desired by a lot of people.
That probably lit a little fire under me realizing, “Oh, this is really a good specialty.
I should venture to see if I can become one.”
And I’m very lucky to be one now.
you should probably have the time to do that as well.
So it’s just a really, really wonderful specialty.
And what has been your most memorable case to date?
There’s been so many.
Yeah, there’ve been so many!
I don’t have a single standout for sure.
It’s a combination of a really amazing pop, that the pop comes out really cleanly.
The better is the one that takes five seconds to do.
You know what I mean?
But it’s enormous or something.
That kind of thing.
No pain, no screaming certainly.
Not a lot of blood.
Not a lot of messiness.
Let me tell you.
They’re amazing, amazing ones, and amazing characters, too.
The patients are wonderful.
Is there anything that makes you squeamish?
And if I ever reacted in a negative way like, “Oh my God, that’s gross.
Or that smells.”
So yeah, I don’t get squeamish.
We train ourselves really mentally to not do that because it would just be terrible for the patient.
You’d be so embarrassed.
I’m more grossed out by other bodily fluids, certainly.
I have to wear gloves.
It’s weird to touch it.
The opposite doesn’t work for me.
I would never eat that.
So why would I?
I cannot make my so that’s the interesting thing.
The power of the mind.
And that’s what you’re trying to prevent.
So you really want to prevent that in the first place.
Not even threatening their life in any way, but it’s just a self-esteem issue.
And that’s what dermatology really is too.
A lot of it is psychological too, mental.
It’s your shield.
It’s your way you present yourself to the world.
So that’s what I feel really lucky to be a part of.
What’s next for Dr. Pimple Popper?
I think, just let’s see where this brings us all.
And there’s more content out there too, exclusive content fromDr.
Pimple Popper, that is going to be there.
It’s so great really.
I think people realize that we’re so much more than just pimple poppers.
And also there’s all these young people that come visit me.
And maybe this is what I want to be a surgeon.
I want to do these kinds of things and I want to help people in these ways.
And it just means so much to me.
you’re free to catch new episodes ofDr.
Pimple Popperevery week on discovery+.
