What Happened to Dr. Sandra Lee (Dr. Pimple Popper)?
Dr. Sandra Lee, widely known as 'Dr. Pimple Popper,' transformed from a board-certified dermatologist into a global media phenomenon through viral online videos of skin extractions. After a successful run with her reality TV series on TLC, she transitioned to Lifetime with 'Dr. Pimple Popper: Breaking Out,' and recently revealed she suffered an ischemic stroke in November 2025, from which she is recovering while continuing her medical practice and television career.
Quick Answer
Dr. Sandra Lee, famously known as Dr. Pimple Popper, continues her career as a board-certified dermatologist and a reality television star. After her long-running show on TLC, she moved to Lifetime with a new series, 'Dr. Pimple Popper: Breaking Out,' which premiered its second season on April 20, 2026. In a significant personal development, Dr. Lee publicly disclosed in April 2026 that she suffered an ischemic stroke in November 2025 while filming, leading to a two-month production halt. She has since undergone physical therapy and returned to work, emphasizing the importance of health awareness.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline16 events
Born in New York City
Sandra Siew Pin Lee was born in Flushing, Queens, New York City, to Asian immigrant parents.
Graduates from Medical School
Dr. Lee earned her medical degree from Drexel University College of Medicine.
Joins Family Dermatology Practice
After completing her residency and fellowship, Dr. Lee joined her husband, Dr. Jeffrey Rebish, at her father's dermatology practice, Skin Physicians & Surgeons, in Upland, California.
Launches YouTube Channel
Dr. Lee began uploading videos to YouTube, though she didn't heavily post content until 2015.
Viral Success on Social Media
Dr. Lee noticed a significant increase in popularity for her 'popping' videos on Instagram, leading her to focus more on this content and gain a massive online following.
Launches SLMD Skincare Products
Leveraging her dermatological expertise and online fame, Dr. Lee introduced her own line of skincare products, SLMD Skincare.
Dr. Pimple Popper TV Special Airs on TLC
TLC aired an hour-long special, marking Dr. Lee's debut on reality television.
Dr. Pimple Popper Series Premieres on TLC
The first season of her highly successful reality television series, 'Dr. Pimple Popper,' officially premiered on TLC.
Final Season of Dr. Pimple Popper (TLC) Premieres
The ninth and final season of the original 'Dr. Pimple Popper' series on TLC premiered.
Announces New Lifetime Series 'Dr. Pimple Popper: Breaking Out'
Dr. Sandra Lee announced she would be moving to Lifetime with a new series, 'Dr. Pimple Popper: Breaking Out,' set to premiere in 2025.
Dr. Pimple Popper: Breaking Out Debuts on Lifetime
The new series, 'Dr. Pimple Popper: Breaking Out,' premiered on Lifetime, continuing her work with complex dermatological cases.
Lifetime Greenlights Season 2 of 'Breaking Out'
Lifetime officially ordered 20 new episodes for a second season of 'Dr. Pimple Popper: Breaking Out,' with production scheduled to begin in September.
Suffers Ischemic Stroke While Filming
While filming the second season of 'Dr. Pimple Popper: Breaking Out,' Dr. Sandra Lee suffered an ischemic stroke, leading to a two-month halt in production.
Returns to Filming After Stroke Recovery
After two months of physical and occupational therapy, Dr. Lee returned to filming 'Dr. Pimple Popper: Breaking Out' Season 2.
Reveals Stroke Publicly
Dr. Sandra Lee publicly disclosed in an interview with People magazine that she had suffered an ischemic stroke in November 2025.
Season 2 of 'Dr. Pimple Popper: Breaking Out' Premieres
The second season of Dr. Lee's Lifetime series, featuring new cases and her continued mentorship, is set to premiere.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Dr. Sandra Siew Pin Lee Rebish, born on December 20, 1970, in New York City, is an American dermatologist who has achieved global recognition as 'Dr. Pimple Popper.' Her journey began with a strong medical foundation, graduating from Drexel University College of Medicine in 1998 and completing her dermatology residency at Southern Illinois University. She then pursued fellowship training in laser, dermatologic, and cosmetic surgery.
Lee's rise to internet stardom started in 2014 when she began uploading videos of skin extractions to YouTube and Instagram. These 'popping' videos quickly went viral, attracting millions of 'popaholics' fascinated by the procedures. She offered patients discounted or free treatment in exchange for permission to film and post their cases, effectively building a massive online following. This digital success led to the launch of her own skincare line, SLMD Skincare Products, in 2017.
The immense popularity of her online content caught the attention of television networks, leading to her signing with TLC for the reality series 'Dr. Pimple Popper.' The show premiered with an hour-long special in January 2018, followed by its first season in July 2018, and ran for nine seasons until April 2023. The series showcased her work at her clinic, Skin Physicians & Surgeons, in Upland, California, treating patients with various skin conditions.
In 2025, Dr. Lee transitioned to Lifetime with a new spin-off series, 'Dr. Pimple Popper: Breaking Out.' This move marked a new chapter in her television career, allowing her to continue her mission of helping patients and mentoring a new generation of dermatologists. The first season debuted on Lifetime in April 2025, and a second season was quickly greenlit.
A significant personal event occurred in November 2025 when Dr. Lee suffered an ischemic stroke while filming the second season of 'Dr. Pimple Popper: Breaking Out.' She publicly revealed this health battle in April 2026, explaining that she experienced symptoms like slurred speech and weakness on one side. Production for the show was halted for two months while she underwent physical and occupational therapy. Dr. Lee attributed the stroke partly to unmanaged blood pressure, high cholesterol, and stress.
As of April 17, 2026, Dr. Sandra Lee has largely recovered from her stroke, though she still notes some minor speech difficulties and a slight decrease in grip strength in her left hand. She returned to filming in January 2026, and the second season of 'Dr. Pimple Popper: Breaking Out' premiered on Lifetime on April 20, 2026. She continues to practice dermatology at Skin Physicians & Surgeons and uses her platform to raise awareness about stroke prevention and destigmatize health issues, particularly within Asian communities.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Dr. Sandra Lee (Dr. Pimple Popper) made different choices?