Did Gacho have a hair transplant? Yes, and he told his fans himself

What did Gacho say about his hair transplant?

In September 2025 the Latvian rapper Gacho (real name Gatis Irbe) told his followers on social media that he had gone abroad for a hair transplant. The Latvian portal 1188.lv quoted his post: “Well then?! I flew to Turkey to fix my hair a little! One thing is clear: the place where you have it done determines a great deal.” He added that he would keep his followers updated on how everything grows.

In March 2026 the magazine Santa returned to the story. It noted that Gatis has never hidden the transplant and quoted him directly: “I have never had much hair.” According to the magazine, he was pleased with how the transplanted hair was growing.

That is all we rely on. Gacho did not publish medical details such as the technique or the number of grafts in these statements, so this article does not guess at them. Everything below about methods and timelines describes hair transplantation in general, not his treatment, and we do not name or assess any clinic.

Why his openness matters

Many well-known men still prefer to keep cosmetic procedures quiet. Gacho did the opposite: he announced the trip himself, joked about it and promised to show how the hair grows. Santa wrote that by talking openly he was breaking stereotypes about men caring for their appearance. For men in Latvia who have been quietly worrying about a thinning hairline, that kind of plain talk turns hair loss into an ordinary medical question that can be discussed with a doctor.

His second sentence is worth repeating for anyone considering the procedure: where you have it done matters a lot. He mentioned that this was not his first experience and that the first time he had not been satisfied with the service or the quality. A transplant is surgery. The qualifications of the team, a realistic plan for the donor area and proper follow-up count for more than the price of the flight.

How a hair transplant works today

A modern hair transplant is an outpatient operation under local anaesthesia. Follicles are taken from the donor area at the back of the head, where hair is resistant to genetic hair loss, and implanted where hair is missing. The main techniques are:

• FUE — grafts are extracted one by one through tiny punctures and placed into channels prepared by the surgeon. No linear scar and no stitches.
• DHI — grafts are implanted with a Choi implanter pen without pre-made channels, which gives fine control over angle and direction.
• Combined DHI+FUE — FUE extraction followed by DHI implantation.

Which method fits depends on the extent of hair loss and on the donor area. That choice is made at a consultation, not from someone else’s story.

Who is a good candidate and how to prepare

A transplant works best when the donor area is dense enough and the pattern of hair loss is clear. Typical reasons to consider it:

• a receding hairline, thinning temples or a high hairline;
• thinning at the crown or low overall density;
• patchy hair loss, or hair loss after trauma or burns.

Contraindications include age under 18, trichotillomania, body dysmorphic disorder, severe heart disease, diabetes mellitus, epilepsy and intolerance to anaesthetics. Before surgery the doctor assesses photos of the hair and the donor area, estimates the number of grafts and explains what result is realistic.

Recovery and how the result develops

The first ten days are about healing: small crusts fall off, and you follow the instructions on washing, sleeping and headwear. In weeks two to four the transplanted hairs shed. This is normal, because the follicles stay in the skin. New growth starts around months three to four, density becomes noticeable at six to nine months, and the final result is assessed at 12 to 18 months. That is why Gacho’s update came months after the trip and not days. The timeline below shows the usual stages.

1. Day of surgeryLocal anaesthesia, grafts are taken and implanted; you go home the same day.
2. Days 1–10The scalp heals and small crusts fall off; you follow the washing and sleeping instructions.
3. Weeks 2–4Transplanted hairs shed. This is expected: the follicles remain under the skin.
4. Months 3–4New hair begins to grow, often fine at first.
5. Months 6–9Density becomes clearly visible.
6. Months 12–18The final result can be assessed.

A hair transplant at City Medical Centre

City Medical Centre performs FUE, DHI and combined hair transplants for international patients. The first consultation is free and can be held online; the number of grafts is calculated free of charge, and the price is fixed in the contract with no extra charges on the day of surgery. Prices start at $2,200 for FUE, $2,500 for DHI and $2,700 for the combined method. The price includes a lifetime guarantee of hair growth, dressings and check-ups, photo progress tracking and follow-up appointments at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months, and a personal coordinator is available from the first message to the end of recovery. More details are on the hair transplant page.

To be clear: City Medical Centre has no connection with Gacho (Gatis Irbe) or his treatment. His story is quoted here because he chose to talk about it publicly.

Hair transplant prices in this article are the current offer, valid until 31 October 2026. Regular prices: FUE $2,700, DHI $2,900, combined method $2,900. The price that applies to you is confirmed at the consultation.

Frequently asked questions

When did Gacho have his hair transplant?

He announced it on social media in September 2025, and in March 2026 the magazine Santa reported that he was happy with how the transplanted hair was growing.

Which method did Gacho use?

He did not say publicly which technique was used or how many grafts were transplanted, so we do not speculate. Today most transplants are done by FUE, DHI or a combination of the two.

Why does the choice of clinic matter so much?

A transplant is surgery, and the donor area is limited. The team’s experience, careful planning of the hairline and proper follow-up affect the result more than the travel costs. Gacho himself said that the place where you have it done determines a great deal.

How much does a hair transplant cost at City Medical Centre?

Prices start at $2,200 for FUE, $2,500 for DHI and $2,700 for the combined method. The final price is given after the free consultation and fixed in the contract.

When can the final result be seen?

Growth usually starts at three to four months, density is noticeable at six to nine months, and the final result is assessed at 12 to 18 months.