Dr. Pimple Popper extracts blackheads in the inner ear in a new video on Instagram

Nobody knows how to get under the skin of a patient better than Dr. Pimple Popper. In a new Instagram video released on Saturday afternoon, dermatologist Sandra Lee, MD, also known as TLC's Doctor Pimple Popper, extracts a cluster of blackheads from inside the ear canal of a patient. patient. (And if you're a fan of Ol Blue Eyes, here's your caveat: after watching this clip, your brain could be rewired to link a certain Frank Sinatra classic to a slightly disturbing dermatological procedure.)

In the brief video, Dr. Lee used her trusty comedone extractor to narrow her path around the small cluster of blackheads, extracting mini-geysers of oil and dead skin cells. Blackheads, of course, tend to look worse than they actually are – often, they go on their own, and they are black only because they are black and white. their proximity to the surface of the skin. (The process of oxidation makes them go black.)

While it's tempting, unless you're getting the care of a professional dermatologist, squeezing blackheads to get rid of them is usually a very bad idea, as previously stated Heidi Waldorf , MD, professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine, at Men's Health. Most of the time, this will only cause skin irritation and possibly even scarring. Instead, look for over-the-counter treatments such as mild facial cleansers or peels – or wait a few weeks – to solve the problem.

Of course, if the blackheads were in a less convenient place, such as in your ear canal, giving it time or seeing a professional might be your only option.