The present invention provides a handheld dermatological device for
visualizing a skin treatment region prior to, during, or after
therapeutic treatment with therapeutic energy. An apparatus according to
the teachings of the invention can include an image capture device and a
display device mounted to the apparatus and electrically coupled to the
image capture device. The display device is capable of displaying images
of the treatment area captured by the image capture device. The apparatus
can further include a head capable of transmitting therapeutic energy to
a treatment area, which can be precisely aligned by the user to a desired
portion of the treatment area through the use of the display device. In
some embodiments, the apparatus can include one or more illumination
sources for illuminating a skin target region, and shield for shielding
the image capture device from direct reflection of the illuminating
radiation from a selected skin surface portion.