What the NOVA is
The Celluma NOVA is a compact, battery-powered LED panel with five modes. Celluma lists all five as FDA-cleared: hair growth, aging skin, pain, body contouring and acne. No other compact Celluma has all five; the RESTORE has three, the LITE three, and the HOME and FACE two each.
NOVA vs PRO vs RESTORE
If hair is the main reason you're buying, the RESTORE does it for $400 less. If you want face and body on a big flexible panel and don't need hair, the PRO is the one. The NOVA earns its price when you want hair and acne and pain in a single device.
The trade-off: area
A compact panel treats one area at a time. For a scalp, a jawline or a knee that's fine. For a full face plus neck, or a lower back, you'll be moving it around or running more sessions than you would with a PRO. Celluma sells a stand for the compact panels ($29.95 for a set of two) that helps with face treatments.
FDA clearance
Celluma's maker, BioPhotas, holds FDA 510(k) clearances. The original Celluma clearance (K152280) covers temporary relief of minor muscle and joint pain, arthritis and muscle spasm, mild to moderate inflammatory acne, and periorbital wrinkles. The RESTORE clearance (K211038) covers androgenetic alopecia in men and women with Fitzpatrick skin types I to IV, for over-the-counter use. Clearance means the FDA accepted the device as substantially equivalent to one already on the market; it is not a finding that it works as well as the marketing says.
Paying less for a NOVA
There's no standing coupon code. HSA/FSA funds take roughly 30% off, bringing it to about $1,116. Black Friday (27 November) is the other big window. See our Celluma discount code page and which Celluma is best for home use.
Where to buy
Buy from the official Celluma store to get the first-order offer, HSA/FSA checkout and the full 2-year warranty. Our where to buy Celluma page compares it with Amazon, Nordstrom and resale.