Two cases of facial foreign body granuloma induced by needle-embedding therapy

In oriental medicine, "needle-embedding therapy" or "acupoint embedding therapy" is currently being used for cosmetic purposes such as correcting facial wrinkles and face-lifting. However, there is not much knowledge about the adverse events associated with needle-embedding therapy. We herein report on two cases of foreign body granuloma that developed due to injection of acupoint embedding thread by herbal medicine doctors. Two women aged 48 and 36 years old presented with erythematous plaques and patches with crust on the face, respectively. They had previously received several sessions of needle-embedding therapy for facial rejuvenation in an oriental medicine clinic. The diagnosis of foreign body granuloma was confirmed by the histological findings.