Tarek El Moussa Gets Candid About Using Injectables While Celebrating Turning 43

“Huge shoutout to whoever created Botox,” the HGTV star wrote in an Instagram post on Aug. 27

Tarek El Moussa is keeping it real when it comes to cosmetic treatments.

The Flipping El Moussas star opened up about getting Botox while reflecting on his 43rd birthday in an Instagram post shared on Tuesday, Aug. 28.

“OMG I still can’t believe I’m 43!!! Huge shoutout to whoever created Botox!” he wrote in the caption, followed by three crying laughing emojis. His post also included snaps from a birthday getaway that he took with his wife, Selling Sunset alum Heather El Moussa.

“So… I celebrated my birthday in Tampa last weekend with the boss lady and incredible friends! The trip was the perfect blend of business and pleasure – exactly what we needed! From sunny adventures to unforgettable moments, it was a birthday to remember,” he writes.

He concludes the post by thanking his followers for “all the amazing birthday wishes,” and adds, “I appreciate all of you," alongside a red heart emoji.

Related: Christina Hall Wishes Ex Tarek El Moussa a Happy 43rd Birthday with a Comment on His Wife Heather's Post

Tarek can thank Dr. Alastair Carruthers and his wife, Dr. Jean Carruthers, for pioneering the cosmetic use of Botox (botulinum toxin).

Alastair, a dermatologist, and his wife, an ophthalmologist, discovered the toxin’s wrinkle-relaxing effects after Jean treated a patient's uncontrollable blinking with a dilute solution of botulinum toxin. Following years of research from the married doctors, BOTOX® was officially approved by the FDA for aesthetic use in 2002.

Related: Tarek El Moussa Addresses Steroid Addiction and 'Very Public' Divorce in Personal New Book

In addition to being candid about the cosmetic treatments he's had done, Tarek has been transparent with fans about many of the medical struggles he's faced over the last decade.

In February 2024, the HGTV star took a deep dive into his past challenges, including steroid addiction, in his tell-all memoir, Flip Your Life.

In the book, he opens up about experiencing a series of painful episodes back to back, including being diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2013 followed by a testicular cancer diagnosis shortly after.

He was able to beat both thanks to several surgeries and radioactive iodine therapy, but was met with another challenge after experiencing a "debilitating" back injury while playing golf.

Related: Tarek El Moussa Was Taking '8 or 10' Painkillers a Day after Back Surgery: ‘I Was High as a Kite’

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During an exclusive interview with PEOPLE in January, Tarek opened up the “emotional rollercoaster” of recounting those events and his recovery in the book.

“The number one takeaway is that anything is possible. Literally, anything is possible. You just got to start. Most people never start,” he said. “Take that first step. Go for that first walk . . . Just start.”

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