A skin treatment apparatus comprising a light source comprising a light emitting element 22 for transmitting light energy to the skin, a charge storage device 20 for discharging an energy dose to the light emitting element, the discharge being free discharge, at least one sensor for measuring a parameter of the skin and a control system 28 configured to determine a treatment energy dose to be delivered, this being derived using the sensor measurement. Wherein the control system is arranged to enable charging of the charge storage device in a two or more-stage operation, wherein in a first stage charging is to an intermediate energy level, and in a second or further stage to an energy level sufficient to deliver the treatment energy dose. The charge storage device may be a capacitor.
