'Dr. Pimple Popper' Sandra Lee Reveals She Had an On-Set Stroke During Season 2 Filming
TV's beloved Lifetime dermatologist, Sandra Lee, opens up about the frightful medical emergency that occurred last November. The Dr. Pimple Popperstar revealed she suffered a stroke that paused Season 2 filming.
Dr. Lee spoke about the ordeal in an exclusive with People and detailed how she felt something wasn't right while on set. It occurred on Nov. 20 of last year while she was at her practice in Upland, California, seeing patients like any other day. While the cameras were rolling, she thought she was experiencing a "hot flash" and got "super sweaty" and simply wasn't feeling like herself.
After filming, she made the short trip to her parents' home that close to her office. Dr. Lee remembers feeling incredibly restless, and "in one leg I kept feeling shooting pains." Unable to sleep, she had gotten up to get something to eat when she "noticed that I was having a tough time walking down the stairs."
She knew something was wrong the following morning and soon realized the possibility of having a stroke. The dermatologist realized her hand would "slowly collapse" when holding it out and was having a tough time "articulating and just enunciating." Her father, also a dermatologist, told her she needed to go to the hospital immediately.
After a few tests, it was revealed that Dr. Lee had suffered an ischemic stroke. It's when brain cells are being deprived of oxygen and necessary nutrients because blood vessels to the brain are blocked.
"It was just a shock," said Lee. "As a physician I couldn't deny that I had slurred speech, that I was having weakness on one side, but I was like, ‘Well, this is a dream, right?' What essentially happened is I had a part of my brain that died."
Due to the stroke, Dr. Lee immediately halted filming of Season 2 and took two months to recover from the effects of the stroke. She underwent physical and occupational therapy to regain her balance and movement.
"I don't like that I don't have total control of my left hand or the grip wasn't as strong. If I feel like I'm not at my best-it's very scary," she said.
Looking back at what occurred, she admits that her blood pressure and cholesterol were "not under control" and are a major risk for a stroke. Her symptoms have since been resolved, with her on blood thinner medication and continuing physical therapy.
"Thankfully I'm pretty much back to normal. . . . It really makes you realize how precious life is," she added.
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This story was originally published April 14, 2026 at 10:50 AM.