It starts innocently enough. You’re scrolling through your feed when you spot a video thumbnail: a close-up of someone’s skin with a blackhead on the verge of extraction.
A bold caption dares you to “Watch until the end!” Against your better judgment, you click play—and suddenly, you’re hooked.
This isn’t an isolated experience. Over the past decade, videos featuring pimple-popping, earwax removal, and cyst extractions have become an unexpected internet sensation.
Millions of viewers around the world tune in to watch what some might call “gross,” yet others describe as oddly soothing. But what’s behind this obsession? Why are these videos so captivating?
The Science of Satisfaction
At its core, the appeal of extraction videos lies in the brain’s love of closure. Humans are naturally wired to seek resolution—whether it’s finishing a story, solving a puzzle, or cleaning up a mess. Pimple-popping videos offer a visual version of this resolution.
You witness something clogged or blocked, and within a few satisfying moments, it’s cleared and restored to normal.
This process triggers a release of dopamine, the brain’s feel-good chemical, which reinforces the sense of satisfaction.
It’s the same reason we enjoy tidying up a messy room or finishing a task on our to-do list. Watching the problem get “solved” on screen provides a small but potent hit of pleasure.
A Curiosity That Defies Disgust
One of the fascinating things about pimple-popping videos is the tension between disgust and curiosity.
On the surface, these clips might seem repulsive—but that’s exactly what keeps people watching.
This paradox is known as morbid curiosity, the same phenomenon that draws people to horror movies or true crime stories.
According to psychologists, morbid curiosity allows us to explore uncomfortable or taboo topics in a safe, controlled environment.
Watching a blackhead extraction from the comfort of your couch is far less daunting than experiencing it in real life, yet it still satisfies that itch to see something unusual.
The ASMR Connection
For some viewers, extraction videos go beyond visual satisfaction—they also provide a calming, almost hypnotic effect.
This is similar to the experience of ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response), a phenomenon where certain sounds or visuals trigger a tingling sensation and deep relaxation.
The gentle squeezing, popping, and squelching sounds in these videos may evoke ASMR-like responses for some people, making the experience both soothing and satisfying.
A Modern-Day Ritual?
There’s also a practical element to the popularity of these videos. Many viewers say they watch extraction clips to learn more about skincare or to satisfy their own desire to pop pimples—a habit dermatologists often warn against.
By watching someone else do it (preferably a trained professional), they can indulge the impulse without damaging their own skin.
In some ways, these videos serve as modern-day rituals of purification. Much like ancient cleansing ceremonies, they symbolically represent the removal of impurities and the restoration of balance.
The Rise of Internet Fame
This niche genre has even turned some practitioners into internet celebrities. Dr. Sandra Lee, better known as Dr. Pimple Popper, has built an empire around her extraction videos, complete with a TV show, skincare line, and millions of devoted fans. Her success shows just how widespread—and profitable—this fascination has become.
Is It for Everyone?
Of course, not everyone enjoys these videos. For some, the sight of a giant cyst or a stubborn blackhead being squeezed is simply too much to handle. But for those who do enjoy them, the appeal is undeniable—and perhaps even a little addictive.
The Bottom Line
Whether you love them or hate them, pimple-popping videos are here to stay. They tap into deep psychological urges for cleanliness, order, and resolution, offering a strange but satisfying escape from the messiness of everyday life.
So, the next time you stumble across a video that urges you to “Watch until the end,” don’t be surprised if you find yourself unable to look away. After all, sometimes the most unexpected things can be the most satisfying.