The present invention relates to a device, system and method for less obtrusively determining a tissue characteristic of a subject, the device comprises a first control unit (11) configured to control an electromechanical transducer (31) by a first control signal (21) to transfer mechanical waves varying in a frequency range or with varying frequency content to an exposed tissue area of the subject； a second control unit (12) configured to control an electromagnetic radiation emitter (32) by a second control signal (22) to emit electromagnetic radiation towards the exposed tissue area of the subject； a radiation signal input (13) configured to obtain a radiation signal (23) indicative of electromagnetic radiation reflected from the exposed tissue area of the subject； and a processor (14) configured to determine a tissue characteristic signal (24) indicative of a tissue characteristic of the exposed tissue area of the subject derived from the obtained radiation signal in said frequency range.
