Abstract: The present invention relates to hair removal, and in particular to a handheld hair removal apparatus. In order to reduce pain during hair removal, the handheld hair removal apparatus (10) comprises a hair removal arrangement (12), a support structure (14) and a skin stretching device (16) attached to the support structure and comprising at least two leading surface portions (18a, 18b) for skin contacting and stretching. The apparatus has a main movement direction (26) in which the apparatus is to be moved relative to skin during use. The hair removal arrangement comprises a skin contact portion (30) for contacting a user's skin during operation, wherein the skin contact portion extends at least along a primary axis (32) extending perpendicularly to the main movement direction (26).