A method/apparatus for determining the density of a formation traversed by a borehole having irregularities along the borehole wall preferably employs/includes a housing, a photon source, and a detector. The source preferably includes an irradiation path extending from the source to a side of the housing. Similarly, the detector preferably includes a detection path extending from the detector to the side of the housing. A stylus may be mounted onto the housing for penetrating through a layer of mudcake. Such stylus preferably includes a base and a substantially small contact head having a window fixedly attached thereto. A second irradiation path may extend from the base to the contact head. A second detection path may also extend from the base to the contact head. The irradiation and detection paths in the stylus are preferably substantially aligned with respective irradiation and detection paths in the housing.