The TLC medical series Dr. Pimple Popper is one of the most popular reality shows on the network. Based on the popular Instagram page and Youtube channel, the series follows dermatologist Dr. Sandra Lee as she takes on pimples, cysts, lipomas, and many other skin conditions.
As with any reality TV series, only select footage makes it to air, and editing is used to create a cohesive narrative for an episode. Those behind Dr. Pimple Popper, including Dr. Sandra Lee herself, have revealed what goes on behind the scenes and is left out of its 60-minute episodes.
Pimple Popping Is Not Dr. Sandra Lee’s Main Job
Dr. Sandra Lee got her nickname in popular culture thanks to her many videos on social media where she extracts blackheads, whiteheads, and all other kinds of spot squeezing. However, despite the name, Dr. Lee doesn't spend a lot of her time tackling common zits.
In an interview with The Cut, Dr. Lee itted she doesn't spend much of her job as a dermatologist popping pimples, although they made up the majority of her early video content. Rather, she recommends simple spots as a job for an aesthetician for those looking to book an appointment (via The Cut).
Dr. Lee Also Does Cosmetic Procedures
Although it has never been seen on her show, Dr. Lee is a skilled cosmetic surgeon and offers a number of services at her California clinic. Rather, the show focuses on more necessary dermatology procedures that affect the patient's everyday health.
According to her clinic's website, Dr. Lee is described as an "internationally recognized cosmetic surgeon and dermatologist." She offers cosmetic services such as "liposuction, eyelifts, and laser resurfacing" (via Skin Physicians and Surgeons).
There’s A Financial Incentive To Star On The Show
Viewers may wonder why some of Dr. Lee's patients, particularly those who express embarrassment about their skin condition, are willing to go on national television when receiving treatment. There is, however, good reason for this, as the show makes a tempting offer for prospective patients.
"The production company foots the patient's bill for their travel expenses as well as my fees," Dr. Lee noted. "Sadly, I find that the reason a lot of my patients haven't had their condition treated is because they don't have the money to have it done," she added (via Refinery29).
Patient Appointments Are Much Longer Than The Show Suggests
Episodes of Dr. Pimple Popper are less than an hour long, and any given episode typically features three to four patients. Of course, episodes are heavily edited and footage is whittled down to fit within the air time. What is particularly left on the cutting room floor is the patient consultation footage, which occurs for a few minutes in each episode.
"I spend hours and hours with all of these patients" Dr. Lee explained. "The TLC episodes do an amazing job telling the stories, but there are four cases per episode, so it's impossible to fit everything in," she added (via Refinery29).
Some Procedures Even Disgust Dr. Pimple Popper Herself
Even the most hardened of viewers will find themselves watching some procedures on Dr. Pimple Popper through their fingers. Certain procedures, particularly lipoma removals or large cysts, can be gory or the extractions can leak gross fluids. Fans may be surprised to learn that even Dr. Pimple Popper struggles with the more squeamish segments on the Discovery+ show.
Viewers will never, however, know from the footage of Dr. Lee's procedures which procedures gross her out. "Two cases recently which were on the same day, actually, I had to come home at lunch and take a nap because it was too much for me," Dr. Lee revealed, citing abscesses as particularly gross (via Cosmopolitan). In a Q&A, the staff at Dr. Lee's clinic explained they never react to the procedures, to help the patient feel at ease (via Showbiz Cheat Sheet).
Casting Agents Help Pick The Patients
Because Dr. Lee is a real doctor, it would be expected that applying for the show would involve arranging an appointment at Dr. Lee's office. The reality, however, is rather different.
The Dr. Pimple Popper application process involves casting agents hired by the TLC network. As part of the audition process, prospective patients can send photos and videos of their skin condition for the producers to consider (via Refinery29).
There Are Other Dermatologists In Dr. Lee's Office
Since medical tv shows aren't exactly known for their accuracy of the medical field, it makes sense that Dr. Pimple Popper is occasionally guilty of that. While the show focuses on Dr. Lee and her team of dermatology nurses on each individual case, she is not the only dermatologist at her clinic.
Those interested in taking a trip to Dr. Lee's clinic will soon discover that an appointment does not necessarily mean an appointment with Dr. Lee. According to the clinic website, there are currently six doctors at the clinic, including Dr. Rebish, who is Dr. Lee's husband (via Skin Physicians & Surgeons).
Patients Are More Likely To Get Treatment “The Bigger” Their Condition Is
Dr. Pimple Popper is easily one of TLC's weirdest shows ever, featuring a series of unique medical conditions that are often in their most extreme form, in part due to the patients' inability to get treatment prior to their episode. Viewers may wonder how Dr. Lee comes across all these skin conditions that are rarely, if ever, seen among the general public.
The answer is that casting agents deliberately look for highly distinctive and extreme medical conditions, as revealed by an article exploring how the show is made. In the article, Dr. Lee explained "the bigger or crazier the skin condition, the better the chances" of ing the audition process with the casting agents (via Refinery29).
Patients Are Found On Facebook And Reddit
While TLC reality shows are known for sometimes misleading viewers through its editing and sometimes scripted scenes, it also is somewhat the case for Dr. Pimple Popper. Ultimately, a typical episode features patients discussing why they sought treatment from Dr. Lee.
Casting agents of the show have revealed they track down prospective patients on social media, particularly on Facebook and Reddit. The agents then the to ask if they want to be on the show, rather than the approaching Dr. Lee or her clinic (via Refinery29).
Dr. Lee Is Not A Popaholic
Fans of Dr. Pimple Popper, whether of the show or of her social media channels, are collectively known as "popaholics." They are self-identifying addicts to pimple-popping videos, often finding them satisfying or stress-relieving.
According to Dr. Jeffrey Rebish, husband of Dr. Lee and fellow dermatologist at her clinic, neither Dr `Lee - as well as most dermatologists, are not popaholics. "Sandra will tell you she's not a popaholic. I mean, she's never popped anything on my skin, which might be a little disappointing to her fans," Rebish revealed (via Refinery29).