Dr. Pimple Popper is not only a YouTube star. Dermatologist Sandra Lee has fronted two television series, one on TLC and one on Lifetime, plus a spin-off and several holiday specials. If you are trying to work out which show is which, how many seasons exist and where you can stream them, this guide puts everything in one place.
Dates below come from the television records on Wikipedia, TV Guide and the Lifetime show page. Streaming information comes from JustWatch for the United States and was checked on October 27, 2026. Availability changes often and differs by country, so always confirm in your own streaming app.
Quick answer: the Dr. Pimple Popper TV shows
- Dr. Pimple Popper (TLC): started with a special on January 3, 2018, then ran from July 11, 2018 to August 23, 2023.
- Dr. Pimple Popper: Before the Pop (TLC spin-off): premiered September 3, 2020, with 10 episodes.
- Dr. Pimple Popper: Breaking Out (Lifetime): season 1 from April 21, 2025 and season 2 from April 20, 2026.
- In the United States, the original series is listed on several services, including Discovery+, Hulu, Philo and YouTube TV, and free with ads on Plex and Tubi.
What the show is about
The series follows Dr. Lee at her clinic, Skin Physicians & Surgeons in Upland, California, where she treats people with unusual skin problems. Typical cases include large cysts, lipomas (fatty lumps), keloids and other conditions that have affected patients’ confidence and daily lives. If you want to understand what a cyst is and how it differs from an ordinary pimple, read our guide to cystic acne vs pimple.
New to the doctor herself? Start with who is Dr. Pimple Popper.
Dr. Pimple Popper on TLC: season by season
TLC aired a one-hour special on January 3, 2018. According to Wikipedia, the first season followed on July 11, 2018 with six episodes. Wikipedia reports that it became the top-rated cable program in its time slot among women aged 25 to 54, and TLC renewed it in August 2018. TV Guide lists nine seasons from 2018 to 2023.
- Season 1: July 11 to August 15, 2018 (6 episodes). Holiday special “The 12 Pops of Christmas” aired December 13, 2018.
- Season 2: from January 3, 2019 (10 episodes).
- Season 3: from July 11, 2019 (4 episodes).
- Season 4: from December 26, 2019 (6 episodes).
- Season 5: from December 28, 2020 (10 episodes). Part-way through this season, new episodes moved to the Discovery+ streaming service.
- Season 6: from July 14, 2021 (10 episodes).
- Season 7: from February 16, 2022 (10 episodes).
- Season 8: from July 13, 2022 (10 episodes).
- Season 9: from April 5, 2023 (20 episodes), ending August 23, 2023.
Episode counts and numbering vary slightly between sources because specials are counted differently.
Before the Pop
The spin-off Dr. Pimple Popper: Before the Pop premiered on September 3, 2020 and ran for 10 episodes. The last episode aired on October 29, 2020.
Dr. Pimple Popper: Breaking Out on Lifetime
In 2025, Dr. Lee moved to a new network. Dr. Pimple Popper: Breaking Out premiered on Lifetime on April 21, 2025. Lifetime describes it as the next stage for her practice, with a new wing of patient rooms, new staff and doctors, and for the first time some self-shot footage of her life outside the office. Season 1 had 20 episodes and ended in August 2025.
Season 2 started on April 20, 2026 and ran through August 17, 2026 with 20 episodes. Like season 1, it aired from spring to late summer, so each season ran for roughly four months. Here is the season 2 trailer from Lifetime:
Where to watch Dr. Pimple Popper in the US
According to JustWatch on October 27, 2026, the original series is available on Discovery+, as an Amazon Channel, on Philo, Hulu, YouTube TV and TLC, and is free with ads on Plex and Tubi. Breaking Out season 2 is listed on Lifetime and Philo, and free on Hoopla. The Lifetime site also carries episodes of Breaking Out. Outside the US, check your local streaming guide. Licensing deals change, so a show listed today can disappear next month. Use the search function in your streaming app to confirm before you subscribe.
If you only want short clips, Dr. Lee’s YouTube channel remains the easiest starting point. Our guide to Dr. Pimple Popper’s most-watched videos explains what to expect.
Frequently asked questions
How many seasons of Dr. Pimple Popper are there?
The original TLC series had nine seasons from 2018 to 2023. The Lifetime follow-up, Breaking Out, has had two seasons so far.
Is Dr. Pimple Popper still on TLC?
The original TLC series ended in August 2023. New episodes are now on Lifetime under the title Dr. Pimple Popper: Breaking Out.
When did Dr. Pimple Popper premiere?
A one-hour TLC special aired on January 3, 2018, and the first season premiered on July 11, 2018.
Where can I stream Dr. Pimple Popper for free?
JustWatch listed the original series as free with ads on Plex and Tubi in the US on October 27, 2026. Free options change, so check before you watch.
What is Before the Pop?
It is a 10-episode TLC spin-off that premiered on September 3, 2020.
When to see a dermatologist
TV shows feature unusual cases handled by a specialist. If you have a lump that grows, hurts or changes, book a visit with a dermatologist instead of waiting. This article is general information, not medical advice, and Video Spotter is not affiliated with Dr. Sandra Lee, TLC or Lifetime.
