A system and method is disclosed for non-contact detection and/or imaging and/or monitoring target subsurface tissue of at least one of human or animal anatomy. The system applies a first optical excitation signal to an outer tissue surface at a first location on the anatomy, which excites the target subsurface tissue to produce acoustic signals which are transmitted to an outer tissue surface of the anatomy. A gel-like, impedance matching and signal converting (IMASC) material layer is applied to the outer tissue surface at a second location on the anatomy. The IMASC material layer contains material elements which are able to influence characteristics of an optical signal impinging and reflected from the IMASC material, in accordance with acoustic signals that have been reflected from the target subsurface tissue, and which propagate into the IMASC material. An optical ultrasound detection system is used to process the reflected optical signals reflected from the IMASC material to provide information that may be used to provide an image of the target subsurface tissue.
