A hand-held skin-treatment apparatus includes a deformable cover enclosing a longitudinally-extending volume. The cover has an exterior surface with a selected surface roughness. An elongated rigid support member is arranged within the volume. A compliant member is disposed within the volume and at least partly between the support member and the cover, so that the cover is held substantially stationary with respect to the compliant member. Another apparatus includes an elongated flexible support member. A tip protrudes transversely from a distal end of the support member and a handle is attached to the proximal end. An elongated compliant member is attached to the support member along the length of the compliant member. A cover encloses the tip, part of the compliant member, and a corresponding part of the support member, and has lower surface roughness over a dorsal side than over a ventral side of the support.