8 Highly Informative (Sorta Gross) Things We Learned from Dr. Pimple Popper

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past year, you’ve probably heard of the phenomenon that is Dr. Pimple Popper—or Dr. Sandra Lee, as she is formally known. Whether you love her (we’re obsessed) or find her videos difficult to stomach (from the milder blackhead extractions to the giant lipoma excavations), you can’t deny her wealth of knowledge in all matters of skin. Here, some surprising facts we learned from her during our office visit. (Ed note: She delves even deeper in her upcoming book out this December.)

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Drinking more water does nothing to hydrate dry skin
Unless you’re dehydrated—in which case, yes, your skin will look more sallow until you drink up. However, any additional water beyond that won’t make a huge difference.

Not all soaps are bad
There are specific ingredients in some soaps, like sodium lauryl sulfate and triclosan, that can be drying. But soaps that contain glycerin and lipids such as stearic acid and triglyceride can actually help form a protective barrier on the skin’s surface. In other words, just read your ingredients list, then lather up worry-free.

Pore size is (mostly) genetic
Something to keep in mind when shopping for products, since there are so many out there that promise to shrink or completely eradicate your pores. The best way to make pores look smaller? Simply keeping your skin clean, says Dr. PP.

There are some sneaky (but common) culprits that clog pores
Some top offenders you may not have thought about: The inner linings of hats, scarves, sunglasses, cellphones, helmets, pillowcases and hair styling products (like gels, creams, pomades and oils). Also, not washing your face immediately after sweating. Luckily, the fix is pretty straightforward: Wash any of the aforementioned items of clothing (or accessories) weekly (ideally with an unscented detergent), keep hair off your face and, ah, stay on top of your hygiene. 

Stress doesn’t cause acne
Contrary to popular belief, stress doesn’t cause acne, but it can make it worse. This is because stress suppresses our immune system (which weakens our ability to fight off bacteria and inflammation) and causes our bodies to release more cortisol, which then can lead to increased oil production.

You can treat symptoms of rosacea
First things first: It's important to know what triggers your symptoms (and try to avoid them whenever possible). There are also a number of over-the-counter prescriptions (like Mirvaso or Rhofade) that can help reduce ruddiness. And for long-term results, you can ask your derm about the KTP or pulsed dye laser, which targets blood vessels and can decrease redness within a few treatments.

Know when to pop and when to stop
A general rule of thumb from the expert herself: If nothing comes out after a couple of gentle squeezes, leave it alone. Another tip: Prep your skin by gently steaming it first. You can do this by holding your face over a pot of just boiled water (at a minimum of 12 feet away). This will open the pores and soften their contents (read: make it prime for popping).

A humidifier can help with keratosis pilaris
KP (aka the annoying, sandpapery bumps on your arms) can be worsened if your skin is dry. Keep a humidifier running in your home to add moisture to the air. Topical lotions and creams that contain alpha hydroxy, lactic, salicylic or uric acids can help slough off dead skin cells and prevent buildup.

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