Got A Nasty Pimple? (Dr. Pimple Popper) Is Your Savior

Dr. Sandra Lee (Dr. Pimple Popper) is a dermatologist from Southern California who received her BS degree in Biological Sciences from the UCLA and went on to study at the Hahnemann University where she received her medical degree. She interned at the Allegheny General Hospital for 1 year and then studied dermatology for 3 years after which she completed a fellowship in the field of Laser, Surgical and Cosmetic Dermatology. Though she is a dermatologist certified by the American Board of Dermatology, she mainly works as a dermatologic surgeon and specializes in cosmetic surgery, skin cancer surgery and other cosmetic procedures.

Got A Nasty Pimple? Dr. Sandra Lee Is Your Savior

Acne – it can occur to almost everyone during different phases of the life. From a teenage girl to a mature male, pimples, cysts, and blackheads can haunt anyone and at any time. As they say, a pimple can come up any moment and ruin your day. Not only does a pimple or cyst mar the beauty of a face, but it also physiologically affects a person’s mind – atleast till the time it is there. People grow a general tendency to check out how big the pimple is growing and often try to eliminate it by popping it out as soon as it becomes a little big.

Popping a pimple/blackhead, actually, gives satisfaction to the person and is often considered a victory over the stubborn and irritating intrusion. Though popping may actually help to get rid of the acne, yet when done incorrectly may cause unnecessary bleeding, pain and also leave behind scars that take quite a long time to heal. Not only that, when blackheads or cysts become quite big, people often feel scared to pop out such a big one, fearing pain and big scars. Thanks to Dr. Pimple Popper (Dr. Sandra Lee), popping pimples has now become much easier, and somewhat more fascinating.

How Did (Dr. Pimple Popper) Become A YouTube And Instagram Sensation?

Though there are hundreds of professional dermatologists in the US, Dr. Sandra Lee has become an internet sensation in the recent years. In her interviews, Dr. Pimple Popper elaborated on how this happened. She explained that although she had a YouTube and Instagram account that had snippets of both her professional and personal life, everything was as regular as for any other dermatologist.

Things suddenly changed when a video showing the extraction of a blackhead by Dr. Pimple Popper was posted by her on her Instagram account. Her Instagram followers increased rapidly in numbers and the video was hugely tagged. Seeing the response, a colleague suggested that she started an account dedicated to pimple popping and that’s how the handle @DrPimplePopper came into existence.

The response was excellent and soon Dr. Pimple Popper started sharing her videos on her YouTube channel as well where they were widely viewed. Not only were people watching her videos on YouTube and Instagram, she became the talk of the moment amongst ‘Pimple poppers’, a subculture that was interested in pimple popping. Soon, Dr. Sandra Lee came to be known as Dr. Pimple popper, a name that has stuck on and has become a popular phenomenon on the internet.

Why Are Her Videos Popular?

To some, pimple popping may seem to be an affair of negligible importance while to others it may be the gory and not-to-be-discussed scenario. But the truth is that popping pimples or blackheads or extracting cysts come naturally to those who suffer from the problem. And it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that nearly all people have suffered from these problems, one or more times. So, though it may be unimportant and gross, people indeed do it. And the reason isn’t only biological. Popping or extracting not only helps get rid of the problem but also gives a physiological boost which is why her videos are so fascinatingly watched by billions across the globe.

The popping community is not a small one; only they didn’t share the fact that they actually ‘popping’ blackheads or pimples and kept it to themselves. This mostly comes from the reaction that may receive on sharing this little detail. But when Dr. Sandra Lee (aka Dr. Pimple Popper) started publishing her videos on social media, the popping community immediately ‘liked’ the stuff and shared them in thousands, thus helping the subculture break free and become recognized as a real phenomenon.

Also, according to Dr. Sandra Lee and people who watch and re-watch her videos, these videos bring in a relaxing and hypnotic feeling which is why they are repeated watched by those who love to pop and even those who don’t. Removing a blackhead or pimple gives a feeling of getting rid of the heinous. In fact, Dr. Sandra Lee has admitted that whether they like or dislike the videos, they tend to share.

Moreover, Dr. Sandra Lee (aka Dr. Pimple Popper) video series also gives an insight into the lives of her patients (without identifying them), thus making them more relatable and making people go wow. Dr. Pimple Popper also offers several vital skincare tips throughout her videos which are liked by her followers.

How Does Sandra Lee Help Treat Pimple Problems?

Though there are several medications and natural remedies that come useful while treating acne, people do, in general, try to pop out a pimple or blackhead on their own so as to get rid of the problem very quickly. But the desired result is not often achieved and the pimples either come back again and again or a deep scar is formed over time. Then again, there are those who see pimple breakouts as an associated problem to a disease that they may be suffering from, like skin cancer.

Since Dr. Pimple Popper is a surgeon specializing in skin cancer surgeries and numerous other cosmetic procedures, she often comes across acne or skin cancer patients who have cysts, blackheads, and pimples of various degrees. Some may be old and stubborn while others may be new, but ghastly. People suffering from such cases have to carry on bearing the hassle as most dermatologists don’t prefer to treat such problems. According to them, processes such as cyst excising, milia extraction and pimple popping isn’t ‘necessary’ from the medical point of view and thus, do not come under the purview of medical insurance.

But Dr. Sandra Lee isn’t one of them. She understands that everyone, like herself, would like to eliminate the problem as soon as they can, and thus, she helps them treat these problems by popping or extracting them. If any of her patients have cysts, blackheads or pimples that have become obvious trouble, she offers to extract or pop them and that too, totally free, if her patients agree to her filming the procedure. According to Dr. Pimple Popper, most people instantly agree, glad that they would be able to get rid of the annoying existence. It is these videos that have made Dr. Lee famous over the last years.

Dr. Sandraa Lee Expertise In Popping Pimples

People across the world have accepted that Dr. Pimple popper is actually a genius when it comes to getting rid of milia, pimples, and blackheads. Nothing scares her. From popping blackheads as big as stones to excising cysts that have grown old, Dr. Sandra Lee does it all. Her videos show her extracting, excising, and popping some of the worst cases of acne that one can imagine and with total success. Over the months, people have viewed and shared her videos and she is popular, not only in the US but also in the countries of the Far East. Her expertise in popping pimples has, indeed, justified the nickname, Dr. Pimple popper, that the internet attributed.

Various Major Cases Handled By Sandra Lee

Dr. Sandra Lee (aka Dr. Pimple Popper) has done hundreds of extractions and popping, but some of her cases have been extremely fascinating (or exceedingly gross)! In fact, The Doctors, a medical talk show where Dr. Sandra Lee has been a regular guest for a long time now held the ‘Pimple popper Awards’ where the doctor presented the worst cases she had handled till then and the viewers were asked to vote a winner! Videos of three separate cases were put up for the voting:

1) A Lipoma On The Arm Of A Patient Named Melody

According to the video, Melody had walked into the Mayo clinic for a lipoma that had been on her arm for nearly half a decade and had made Melody feel uneasy about it ever since. During the operation, a large glob of fat was pulled out of the lipoma and is considered to amongst the goriest of the cases that Lee has handled.

2) Pillar Cysts On A Woman’s Scalp

The second nomination went to a case where a pillar cyst had grown to a huge size on the scalp of a patient named Desiree. The cyst was nearly 20 years old and had grown as big as an egg, making it another of the important cases handled by the dermatologist.

3) A Cyst On The Thigh

The last and the final entry was a cyst that had grown for nearly 10 years on the thigh of a woman named Kristi. Not only was it clearly visible, but it had grown to the proportion of a tennis ball filled with ghastly liquid.

Kristi’s case was voted by the audience to be the worst amongst the cases presented and its success was, no doubt, a big one.

The Worst Case Ever Handled By Dr. Pimple Popper

Though Dr. Sandra Lee is presented with numerous cysts, Lipoma, Blackheads, etc. very often, not all require mention. Moreover, things are always relative. Although Kristi’s case was voted by the audience to be the worst one until 2016, things didn’t stop there. In fact, on May 14, 2017, Dr. Sandra Lee launched a video of an operation on a man who had lipoma at the base of his neck and it had grown to a massive size weighing nearly 400g. Referred to by the doctor as the ‘bear of a lipoma’, the area was filled with a large mass of fat cells that had embedded far too deep in his back to be taken out with surgical tools alone. Naturally, the doctor had to use her bare hands to pull them out. Though it wasn’t possible to flatten the area entirely at one go, yet the doctor made it significantly smoother than before and pleased the patient.

Dr. Pimple Popper University

Dr. Sandra Lee not only treats or operates on those who have grown serious cysts or blackheads, but she also aims to educate people across the world about how to take care of one’s skin, how to nip problems in the bud and have a healthy and blemish-free skin. That is why the popping ‘Queen’ also a section on her website known as Dr. Pimple popper University where anyone can post questions related to skin problems, skincare, and much more and receive verified help from the dermatologist herself. She believes that people no longer look for information in newspapers or magazines. Netizens today surf the web to get an answer to their various questions and having an online authoritative resource on dermatology is the best idea for the present times.

Dr. Sandra Lee’s Tips On How To Cure Mild Acne

Since mild acne is a very common situation, Dr. Sandra Lee believes that people should themselves be ready to treat them with creams and lotions that are easily available at drug stores. However, the dermatologist suggests that for any acne product to work effectively, it must include the following as ingredients:

Retinol: This derivative of Vitamin A plays an important role in curing and preventing the occurrence of black as well as whiteheads on the skin. Since blackheads are often the reason for acne, nipping them off in the bud is necessary.
Benzoyl Peroxide: Those dealing with numerous pustules on the skin need to make sure that benzoyl peroxide is an active ingredient of the anti-acne product that one buys. This compound acts as an antibacterial and eliminates the bacteria P. acnes that cause pustules very frequently.
Salicylic Acid: According to Dr. Lee, the presence of salicylic acid in the product can help in exfoliating the skin and keeping the skin pores clean. Moreover, since it crystallizes on the skin and blocks the pores, new acne cannot form.

However, Dr. Lee tells that no acne product can get rid of it in a day. Even the best products would need some time before you can see significant results and the acne is totally removed. According to her, 2-3 months is the average time before the results start showing.

Must Read: 10 Home Remedies Tips to Get Rid of Blackheads

Treating Cystic Acne – Tips From Dr. Lee Herself

According to Lee, treating cystic acne would need something more than just topical creams. In fact, she suggests that the following should be used in addition to creams to cure the problem:

Oral Antibiotics: Several anti-acne medications are available as OTC drugs and this helps clean out acne from the inside out.
Birth Control Pills: Though these aren’t specialized acne medications, yet they can be useful in controlling acne. These pills control and moderate the hormone levels in women and thus, prevent acne breakouts.
Spironolactone: According to Dr. Pimple Popper, Spironolactone works as an anti-testosterone effect and can help treat acne wherein the patients suffer from PCOS. It also reduces excess oil production.
Isotretinoin: For those who suffer from severe outbreaks of acne accompanied by painful and deep nodules and cysts, a more aggressive cure is necessary. Isotretinoin can be used in such cases. Derived from Vitamin A, Isotretinoin can significantly shrink the sebaceous glands, thus restricting the oil secretion. A course of 4-6 months not only cures acne but also tends to minimize the chances of its recurrence. However, it mustn’t be taken by pregnant women.

Should You Pop A Pimple?

Though Sandra Lee believes that the urge to pop a pimple is very natural, yet she advises against doing so one’s own. Popped at the wrong time and in the wrong way, pimples or blackheads can leave scars that do not heal easily. Not only that, pricking the skin with sharp objects or with nails may lead to infections that can worsen the matter. So, it would be wise not to pick a pimple any time you want.

Popping A Pimple Made Easy

Since people just cannot do without popping their pimples and blackheads, Dr. Sandra Lee suggests a safe way to do so. Timing is very important to ensure that a pimple is popped the right way. She believes that you need to wait till the pimple creates ahead and the pus moves to the upper levels of the skin so that it can be squeezed out easily. If you try to squeeze or pop a pimple when it is still deep into the skin tissues, it will create a deep gash on the skin and leave behind deep scarring. Popping a pimple that has become shallow will create the shallowest possible trauma to your skin.

If a pimple isn’t yet ready with a white head, then you can use a warm compress to fasten the process. The warm compress will bring the pus to the upper levels of the skin and can be easily squeezed out or extracted using little pressure from the fingertips. It is best to do this under a warm shower as the water will open up pores and wash away the bacteria-filled pus as well. If you want to pop the pimple out of the shower, be sure that your hands are clean and the pus is totally cleaned off so that the bacteria cannot cause further infections. Squeeze, till a small amount of blood comes out.

Sandra Lee’s Product Line

Consulting a dermatologist isn’t always a possibility for all people. Having a huge fan base across the world, Dr. Lee has come to understand that, though proper skincare is a necessity, most people can’t afford to see a professional regularly. That is why she aims to offer the world products that can help minimize the gap and offer the common people solutions that are actually effective. Since millions of people already trust her and her methods, she believes that by offering products that are officially recommended by her she would be able to help people use products that are reliable and effective.

To that end, she has launched her own product line known as the SLMD Acne System that started with the SLMD x Dr. Pimple popper Acne Spot Treatment available at $25 and later expanded to a variety of other products. Dr. Lee aims to create a product line with a difference and one that the customers will like for sure.

What People Have To Say About Dr. Sandra Lee?

Though Dr. Lee initially offered to pop pimples or extract cysts for free of cost or at a very low cost only to patients who had set up appointments with her for other cosmetic and skin surgeries, yet that isn’t the situation at present. She gets requests from people across the world with a variety of conditions – from huge cysts to gross lipomas. Whatever may the problem be, her patients have always been pleased and amazed at what she could do. Her immaculate techniques and her zeal have helped her successfully pass even the worst cases that people could put up to her.

When Should You Set Up Your Appointment With Dr. Lee?

Dr. Pimple popper believes that it isn’t necessary to meet a dermatologist for mild pimples, whiteheads, and blackheads. But if you start having inflamed and painful cystic nodules or deep-seated bumps, it is important that you consult a dermatologist. Handling severe acne on your own can lead to prolonged attacks, infections, and deep scarring that make anyone look ugly. So, if your acne or bump is really bad, it is time that you get in touch with the popping ‘Queen’.

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