PRP Hair Restoration in Lafayette, LA
PRP hair restoration uses platelet-rich plasma prepared from your own blood to support thinning areas where viable hair follicles remain. At Elle Medical & Aesthetics in Lafayette, LA, two distinct procedures are offered, and which one suits you depends on your pattern of thinning and what is driving it.
What Is PRP Hair Restoration?
Hair restoration at Elle is a medically guided approach for women and men experiencing hair thinning or reduced density in areas where viable follicles are still present. The goal is to support those existing follicles, improve the appearance of thinning areas, and encourage healthier-looking growth where you remain an appropriate candidate.
Both procedures begin the same way, by drawing your blood and processing it to prepare platelet-rich plasma. PRP is autologous, meaning it comes from your own blood and returns to you rather than being a manufactured product.
These treatments are not intended to create new follicles in areas where follicles are no longer viable, and they are not guaranteed alternatives to hair transplant surgery or cures for every type of hair loss.
PRP Hair Restoration Before and Afters
Density changes across a year are difficult to judge from memory, which is why standardized photographs are part of your follow-up schedule. View patient results across treatments and areas. Individual results may vary.
Why the Cause of Hair Loss Matters
Hair thinning has many possible causes, and PRP-based procedures may not address the underlying one by themselves. What is driving your hair loss determines whether either procedure is likely to help.
Contributing factors can include genetic pattern hair loss, hormonal changes, perimenopause or menopause, low testosterone, pregnancy or postpartum changes, rapid weight loss, inadequate protein or calorie intake, nutritional deficiencies, thyroid conditions, medications, illness or surgery, significant stress, scalp conditions, autoimmune or inflammatory conditions, traction on the hair, and scarring forms of hair loss.
Because of that range, we may recommend laboratory testing, nutrition changes, hormone evaluation, supplements, a medication review, or a dermatology evaluation before or alongside a hair restoration procedure.
PRP Plus ACell Scalp Injections
PRP plus ACell is a one-time procedure combining platelet-rich plasma prepared from your blood with ACell extracellular matrix product, injected directly into selected thinning areas of the scalp. The purpose is to deliver a concentrated treatment to areas where viable follicles remain.
ACell products were developed and cleared for wound management applications. Their use by injection for hair restoration is off-label and is not a manufacturer-promoted indication, and FDA adverse event documentation specifically identifies scalp injection for alopecia as an off-label use. That distinction is discussed with you before treatment rather than left unstated.
At Elle Medical & Aesthetics, we offer this as a one-time treatment rather than a routine series, and we monitor your response over the following year. A one-time protocol does not mean every patient reaches their desired result from a single procedure, and additional or alternative care may be discussed depending on how you respond and what is causing your hair loss.
Scalp Microneedling With PRP
Scalp microneedling with PRP is a separate procedure performed as a series. The RejuvaPen microneedling device creates controlled microscopic channels in the scalp, and PRP prepared from your blood is applied during the procedure so it distributes across the treatment area and into those channels.
This differs from PRP plus ACell in several ways. It uses microneedling rather than direct injection; it does not include ACell; the PRP is applied during the microneedling process rather than injected, and it is performed as a series rather than once. For that reason, it should not be described as PRP injections, since the delivery method is genuinely different.
The FDA has stated that microneedling devices have not been cleared specifically for hair loss treatment, and have not been cleared for use in combination with PRP or another topical product.
Who Is a Good Candidate for PRP Hair Restoration?
- Early or moderate hair thinning: Where follicles remain present and appear viable.
- Reduced hair density: Including generalized thinning across the scalp.
- Widening of the part: A common early sign in women.
- Thinning around the crown: Frequently one of the first areas to show change.
- Pattern-related hair loss: Where the pattern remains appropriate for treatment.
- Shedding with reduced density: Particularly when it has developed gradually.
- Weakened or miniaturized follicles: Areas where hair is still present but noticeably finer.
Meet Your Hair Restoration Provider
Hair restoration at Elle is managed directly by Crystal Fontenot, ANP-BC, a board-certified adult nurse practitioner who evaluates why the hair loss may be occurring before recommending any procedure.
That evaluation covers your medical and hair loss history, a scalp examination, your medications and supplements, and hormonal and nutritional factors, with laboratory testing when appropriate. Because Elle also provides hormone care, medical weight management, and nutritional support, contributing factors can be addressed as part of the same plan rather than referred elsewhere. You can read more about her approach, the practice, and the other hair treatments available at Elle Medical & Aesthetics.
What to Expect During Your Hair Restoration Consultation
Your consultation covers when the hair loss began, whether the change was sudden or gradual, your pattern and location of thinning, recent shedding, family history, medical and surgical history, current medications and supplements, previous hair restoration treatments, hormonal symptoms, menstrual or menopausal history where relevant, pregnancy or postpartum history where relevant, recent illness or surgery, stress, rapid weight loss, nutrition and protein intake, medical weight loss treatment, scalp symptoms, hair care practices, and your goals.
The scalp examination assesses the distribution of thinning, remaining density, scalp health, signs of inflammation or irritation, areas of possible scarring, and whether follicles appear viable. Laboratory testing may be recommended when hormones, thyroid function, anemia-related factors, nutrient status, medication effects, or another medical issue may be contributing.
What Happens During PRP Treatment
PRP Plus ACell Injections
- Plan confirmation: Your treatment plan is confirmed, and your current health is reviewed.
- Scalp reassessment: The scalp and treatment areas are evaluated again before proceeding.
- Blood draw and processing: Blood is drawn and processed in the clinic to prepare PRP, and the ACell product is prepared according to protocol.
- Preparation: The scalp is cleansed and prepared, with local comfort measures or numbing used as appropriate.
- Injection: The PRP and ACell preparation is injected into selected thinning areas, personalized to the location and pattern of your thinning.
- Finishing: The scalp is cleansed, and you receive detailed aftercare instructions.
Scalp Microneedling With PRP
- Plan confirmation: Your treatment plan is confirmed and the scalp assessed.
- Blood draw and processing: Blood is drawn and processed to prepare PRP.
- Preparation: The scalp is cleansed, with topical numbing applied when appropriate.
- Microneedling: The RejuvaPen is used systematically over the selected thinning areas, with depth and intensity adjusted according to the scalp and treatment area.
- PRP application: PRP is applied during the procedure and distributed across the treated scalp.
- Finishing: The scalp is cleansed or finished according to protocol, and you receive detailed aftercare instructions.
PRP Hair Restoration Recovery and Aftercare
Recovery is generally manageable, though temporary scalp effects are common. You may experience tenderness, redness, swelling, pinpoint bleeding, mild bruising, tightness, scalp sensitivity, small injection site marks, temporary headache, mild flaking or dryness, and a temporary increase in shedding.
Aftercare instructions may include avoiding hair washing for a recommended period, holding off on hair products until advised, delaying hair dye or chemical processing, avoiding strenuous exercise and heavy sweating, staying out of pools, hot tubs, and saunas, avoiding direct sun exposure, not scratching or picking at the scalp, and avoiding anti-inflammatory medication unless approved.
Contact the practice if pain, swelling, drainage, fever, or redness worsens.
PRP Hair Restoration Results and Timeline
Hair growth is gradual, and neither procedure produces immediate regrowth. Because the hair growth cycle takes time, visible changes develop over several months rather than weeks, and patients who understand that going in tend to stay with the plan.
Changes you may notice include reduced shedding, improved appearance of density, thicker-looking existing hair, new growth in responsive areas, and better coverage in thinning areas. How much and how quickly depends on the cause of your hair loss, how long you have been thinning, follicle viability, age, genetics, hormonal status, nutrition, medical conditions, medications, which treatment you received, and how consistently you follow the full plan. Individual results may vary.
Follow-Up and Progress Monitoring
An initial follow-up takes place approximately two weeks after treatment, with progress evaluations roughly every three months until you reach one year after treatment.
Those appointments may include scalp evaluation, review of shedding or visible changes, standardized photographs, discussion of hair density, review of medical or hormonal changes, nutrition and supplement review, medication review, evaluation of home care compliance, and discussion of whether another treatment or referral is appropriate.
PRP Hair Restoration Risks and Safety
Both procedures involve a blood draw and treatment to the scalp, so temporary effects including tenderness, redness, swelling, pinpoint bleeding, mild bruising, and scalp sensitivity are common in the days afterward. A temporary increase in shedding can also occur and is not a sign that treatment has failed.
Two regulatory points are worth understanding clearly. ACell products were cleared for wound management, and their use by injection for hair restoration is off-label, with FDA adverse event documentation specifically identifying scalp injection for alopecia as an off-label use. Separately, the FDA has stated that microneedling devices have not been cleared for hair loss treatment or for use in combination with PRP or another topical product.
Neither procedure creates new follicles where follicles are no longer viable, and neither is a guaranteed alternative to hair transplant surgery. Contact Elle if pain, swelling, drainage, fever, or worsening redness develops after treatment.
PRP Hair Restoration Pricing and Financing in Lafayette, LA
Cost depends on which procedure suits you, since PRP plus ACell is a one-time treatment while scalp microneedling with PRP is performed as a series. You receive a clear quote at your consultation once the plan is settled.
Because hair restoration frequently involves a series of appointments and a year of follow-up, CareCredit and Cherry financing are both available to spread costs across the course of treatment.
Why Choose Elle Medical & Aesthetics for Hair Restoration in Lafayette, LA?
- The Cause Is Evaluated First: Crystal considers why the hair loss may be occurring and whether follicles in the thinning area appear viable, rather than assuming every patient needs the same procedure.
- Two Distinct Options: A one-time PRP plus ACell injection procedure and a RejuvaPen microneedling with PRP series, selected according to your pattern and situation.
- Laboratory Testing When Appropriate: Hormonal, thyroid, anemia-related, and nutritional factors are investigated when they may be contributing.
- A Full Year of Monitoring: A two-week safety follow-up followed by progress evaluations every three months for one year, with standardized photographs.
- Coordinated With Your Other Care: Hormone care, medical weight management, and nutritional support are all available here, which matters because contributing factors frequently sit outside the scalp.
Frequently Asked Questions About PRP Hair Restoration in Lafayette, LA
Does PRP with ACell work?
Response varies considerably depending on the cause of your hair loss, how long you have been thinning, and whether follicles in the treated area remain viable. It is intended to support existing follicles rather than create new ones, which is why candidacy assessment matters more than the procedure itself.
How long does it take for ACell to work?
Hair growth is gradual and follows the natural growth cycle, so visible changes develop over several months rather than weeks. Your response is monitored with follow-up at two weeks and progress evaluations every three months for a year.
How much does ACell PRP hair treatment cost in Lafayette, LA?
Cost depends on which procedure fits your situation, since PRP plus ACell is a one-time treatment and scalp microneedling with PRP is a series. You receive a quote at your consultation. CareCredit and Cherry financing are both available.
What is the difference between PRP with ACell and scalp microneedling with PRP?
PRP plus ACell combines platelet-rich plasma with ACell extracellular matrix and injects it directly into thinning areas as a one-time procedure. Scalp microneedling uses the RejuvaPen to create channels and applies PRP during the process, without ACell, performed as a series.
Is PRP hair restoration an alternative to a hair transplant?
No. Neither procedure creates new follicles in areas where follicles are no longer viable, and neither should be understood as a guaranteed alternative to transplant surgery. Both are intended to support areas where follicles remain present but appear weakened.
Can women get PRP hair restoration?
Yes, and hair restoration at Elle is offered to both women and men. Widening of the part, reduced density, and thinning around the crown are common reasons women seek evaluation, and hormonal factors including perimenopause are specifically assessed.
Why would I need lab work for hair loss?
Thyroid function, anemia-related factors, hormone levels, nutrient status, and medication effects can all contribute to thinning, and a procedure will not resolve a cause that sits outside the scalp. Testing is recommended when your history suggests one of these may be involved.
Does hair shed more after PRP treatment?
A temporary increase in shedding can occur after either procedure and is a recognized effect rather than a sign of failure. Your two-week follow-up is one place to raise it if you are concerned about what you are seeing.
Ready to Talk Through Hair Restoration?
At Elle Medical & Aesthetics, hair restoration begins with understanding why your hair is thinning and whether the follicles in those areas are still viable. That evaluation determines which procedure fits, or whether something else should be addressed first.
Visit us at 626 Verot School Rd, Suite B, Lafayette, LA 70508, or call (337) 651-9120 to schedule your consultation. We would be glad to take a look and talk through your options.
Medically reviewed by Crystal Fontenot, ANP-BC, on August 12, 2026