An optical depilation apparatus of high safety is provided, in which the light irradiating the skin during the depilation treatment can be prevented from leaking and entering the eyes, maintenance can be facilitated, and the light for depilation can be prevented from being emitted at an unintended time and entering the eyes. The apparatus for performing depilation by irradiating the skin with light includes: an apparatus body a light source unit provided at the apparatus body and capable of emitting the light for irradiating the skin a light shielding pipe having a skin contact surface at an end surface on the side opposite to the apparatus body in the axial direction of the light shielding pipe and is attached detachably to the apparatus body so as to surround a portion of the apparatus body which radiates light emitted from the light source unit and a control circuit that disables the emission of light from the light source unit in a state in which the light shielding pipe is not attached to the apparatus body.
