The invention relates to a handheld body care appliance, including: a body (2) including a gripping area (Zp) a treatment head (3) to be applied to or next to the skin and including an electrically activated treatment means (4) a means (10) for detecting the proximity of the skin to the treatment head and an electronic control unit (UC) suitable for at least authorising the operation of the treatment means if skin (P) is detected near the treatment head (3). According to the invention, the appliance includes a means (20) for detecting the presence of a hand on the gripping area (Zp) and the electronic control unit (UC) is suitable for at least authorising the operation of the treatment means (4) if skin (P) is detected near the treatment head (3) and a hand is detected on the gripping area (Zp) at the same time.
