Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Dr. Sandra Lee, the figure behind the "Dr. Pimple Popper" phenomenon, revealed that she suffered an ischemic stroke in April 2026.
The stroke actually happened in November 2025, while Dr. Lee was filming the second season of her Lifetime series, "Dr. Pimple Popper: Breaking Out."
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A diagnosis of ischemic stroke indicates a blockage in the blood vessels supplying blood to the brain, depriving brain cells of oxygen and essential nutrients.
At first, Dr. Lee thought her symptoms were simply hot flashes, characterized by sudden sweating and feeling unwell.
However, her condition rapidly worsened, forcing her to confront a much more serious health reality.
The Journey to Diagnosis and the Impact of Ischemic Stroke
Dr. Lee's initial symptoms began to show more concerning signs that night, when she felt a sharp pain in one of her legs and significant difficulty trying to walk down the stairs.
The next morning, these concerns became a reality; the left side of her body was not functioning properly, and she was having difficulty speaking clearly.
Dr. Lee described her experience in vivid detail, saying, "I would stretch out my hand, and it would slowly collapse," indicating marked weakness.
His father, also a dermatologist, immediately recognized the seriousness of the situation and urged him to go to the emergency room without delay.
An MRI confirmed the diagnosis of ischemic stroke, a shocking revelation for Dr. Lee.
Risk Factors and a Doctor's Recovery Process
Dr. Lee attributed her stroke largely to uncontrolled high cholesterol and blood pressure, coupled with high stress levels from balancing his medical practice with the demands of television production.
Her neurologist, Dr. May Kim-Tenser of Keck Medical School of USC, confirmed that high blood pressure is indeed a major risk factor for stroke, corroborating Dr. Lee's analysis.
Dr. Lee's recovery process involved an intensive two-month period of physical and occupational therapy to restore balance and hand movement.
After a diligent recovery period, she successfully returned to work in January 2026.
Although most of her symptoms have resolved, Dr. Lee still feels a slight difference in speech and lacks full control of her left hand, and her grip strength is not as strong as it once was.
The experience also left her with lingering anxiety, an emotional impact that often accompanies a stroke.
She now regularly takes blood thinners and continues physical therapy as part of her ongoing recovery regimen.
The second season of "Dr. Pimple Popper: Breaking Out," scheduled to premiere on Lifetime on April 20, 2026, is a testament to her resilience.
Getting to Know Doctor Sandra Lee
Doctor Sandra Siew Pin Lee Rebish, better known by her stage name Dr. Pimple Popper, was born on December 20, 1970, making her 55 years old at the time of her stroke announcement in April 2026.
She is originally from Flushing, Queens, New York City, USA.
Dr. Lee's academic journey began with a bachelor's degree from UCLA.
She then pursued a medical degree from Drexel University College of Medicine in 1998.
As a board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Sandra Lee is an active member of several leading professional organizations, including the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, and the American Society for Mohs Surgery.
Her global fame began with a YouTube channel she founded in October 2010 and began gaining significant popularity in 2015.
In 2017, Dr. Lee launched her own skincare line, S.L.M.D. Skincare, expanding her reach beyond clinical practice and media.
Then, in July 2018, she starred in her own TV series, “Dr. Pimple Popper” on TLC.