A dermatologist has amassed millions of fans by creating a YouTube channel dedicated to 'pimple porn' in which she pops explosive spots and blackheads on camera.

Dr Sandra Lee, better known as Dr Pimple Popper, began filming her work a year ago and now some of her videos have been viewed by more than six million people.

She claims she has brought spot squeezing 'out of the closet', and says her 'pimple porn' serves a positive role by bringing dermatology to the masses and encouraging people to look after their skin.

And the success of her channel means she is now able to offer some patients treatment for free, if they are willing to be recorded.

WARNING: THE CONTENT IN THIS VIDEO AND BELOW IS EXTREMELY GRAPHIC

Dr Sandra Lee has amassed millions of fans by creating a YouTube channel dedicated to 'pimple porn' - in which she pops spots and blackheads on camera. She is pictured with one of her patients (right)

In a video discussing her rise to fame, Dr Lee said: 'I think that people have a strong reaction to pimple popping - whether they are grossed out by it or they are enchanted by it.

'I feel like I have really brought this sort of thing out of the closet in a way. Previously people were hiding in their rooms, at their computer sweating and worried that someone was going to come in and catch them looking at pimple porn.

'But now they they feel like they have this community and it's okay to kind of like this and be into this.'

Dr Lee is based at Skin Physicians and Surgeons, in Upland, California, and has been a certified dermatologist for 10 years.

But it was only a year ago that her popularity erupted when she began posting minor operations on social media, including YouTube and Instagram.

'It's become something that I would have never imagined,' she said.

'All these people were subscribing. My numbers suddenly went up from 1000 to 20,000 to 30,000 and up and up.'

Dr Lee, pictured bursting a small infected spot, said: 'I want to use the notoriety I've gained from pimple popping and really use it to showcase dermatology'

Her work is viewed by people with a pathologic condition that causes them to pick their skin, and it causes them to stop picking it as much, Dr Lee said. She is pictured removing a growth

She says she now divides her work into two main categories - 'hard pops' and 'soft pops' - and each has a loyal following.

She explained: 'Soft pops tend to be milder things like blackheads and smaller cysts. There's really no blood, it's really very smooth and minor.

'The hard pops are bigger pops that involve cysts and abscesses being popped out of the skin.

'These usually need to involve an incision or surgery and there might be a little bit of blood or there might be some stitching involved.'

She is very interested in the reasons why some people say why they like watching the videos.

She said: 'For some I've heard it can release their own sense of wanting to pick themselves.

'If they have actually got a pathologic condition that causes them to pick their skin, they will actually stop picking as much - as they'll watch my videos instead.'

Dr Lee divides her work into 'soft pops' - milder things like blackheads and small cysts - and 'hard pops' where cysts and abscesses (such as the one pictured) removed with an incision or surgery

Dr Lee is now able to offer free spot and blackhead removal to some of her patients - as long as she's able to record the procedure and post it online

With her popularity surging, Dr Lee is now able to offer free pimple and blackhead removal to some of her patients - as long as she's able to film and post the procedure online.

She sees about 30 patients a day, but blackhead and pimple extraction makes up a small amount of treatments that she offers, including removal of skin cancers.

She said: 'I want to use the notoriety I've gained from pimple popping and really use it to showcase dermatology.

'I want the audience to really learn about what's on their skin and how to treat acne, melasma, eczema and beyond.'