1. An image processing apparatus for extracting a characteristic point from an image, said image processing apparatus comprising: a first light radiation section configured to radiate light having a first wavelength to an image taking subject; a second light radiation section configured to radiate light having a second wavelength greater than said first wavelength to said image taking subject; an image taking section configured to carry out an image taking operation on said image taking subject by radiating light having said first wavelength to said image taking subject in order to generate a first photographing-result image and carry out an image taking operation on said image taking subject by radiating light having said second wavelength to said image taking subject in order to generate a second photographing-result image; a skin-area detection section configured to detect a skin area exposed to a skin of said image taking subject on the basis of said first photographing-result image and said second photographing-result image; and a characteristic-point extraction section configured to extract said characteristic point from an extraction area existing on a display image showing said image taking subject to serve as an extraction area including said skin area.