A skin treatment apparatus, preferably an epilator, comprising at least one detector for detecting approximation and/or contact with the skin and a control unit to actuate the device depending on the signal received from the detector. The control unit has at least one regulator which increases the speed of the drive unit upon detection of an increased resistance and/or current consumption by a sensor and/or decreases the speed of the drive unit upon detection of an decreased resistance and/or current consumption by a sensor.