For rosacea, acne & eczema-prone skin
NOVA
Nova uses cold atmospheric plasma technology to calm redness, reduce breakout-causing bacteria, and restore skin stability — no heat, no chemicals, no harsh actives, no downtime.
Cold atmospheric plasma.
Cold atmospheric plasma is a stream of ionised air. When applied to the skin, it kills bacteria, calms inflammation, and resets the moisture & skin barrier.
Technology
Not Skincare
“YOUR SKIN CURED
IS A LOST CUSTOMER.”
— The Skincare Industry
What brings you to Nova?
Tap yours. Every before-and-after, review and answer below follows your choice.
Calmer skin, with nothing in it to react to.
No heat, no light, no actives: nothing in a session for reactive skin to react to. Cold plasma calms inflammation and reduces the bacteria linked to flare-ups. In a 12-person clinic pilot of cold plasma, the treated side of the face ended up with fewer inflamed lesions and smaller red areas.
Breakouts and red marks, without stripping your skin.
Cold plasma reduces breakout-causing bacteria at the surface and calms the leftover inflammation behind flat red marks, with no retinoids, acids or peroxide to dry you out. Two published acne trials of cold plasma both recorded an improvement. Indented scars are lost collagen: nothing topical rebuilds them, Nova included.
Nothing to sting. Nothing absorbed.
No steroid, no fragrance, no ingredients at all: nothing goes into your skin. Cold plasma calms inflammation and lowers the bacteria that drive flare-ups. In a 22-person clinic pilot of cold plasma, treated patches scored lower for severity and itch than sham-treated ones. Use it alongside your prescribed care.
The same device, on the scalp.
No pills, no minoxidil, no hormones: nothing absorbed into your body. A few minutes over the thinning areas, most days of the week. The research on cold plasma and hair is early, which is exactly why you get 60 days to judge it.
Nova, in real life.
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Skin like yours, in their words.
36 reviews from people who’ve tried everything.
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I’ve probably spent thousands on skincare. I’m not exaggerating. You name it, I’ve used it for sure. None of it ever really worked long term tho. Nova is the first thing that actually made my skin feel stable and made it consistently clear and smooth. After about 3 weeks, my breakouts and flare-ups have stopped and my redness went down massively. Love Nova, love Sub-Zero.
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I’ve had rosacea for years (mainly flushing + background redness) and it used to stop me doing normal things like going out in the sun or even having a drink without my face flaring up. This hasn’t “cured” it, but my skin is way less reactive now. I can actually go out without constantly thinking about it. That’s been a big shift for me.
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I’ve spent years cycling through moisturisers, steroid creams, and “eczema-safe” products. What surprised me about Nova was how well my skin tolerated it. Less redness, less irritation, and fewer nights lying awake scratching.
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The red marks after my breakouts are finally fading instead of hanging around for months.
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I’ve actually stopped buying skincare. Nova is different. Within a few weeks of using Nova my breakouts stopped showing up randomly and my skin actually feels stable for the first time in years. I genuinely wish I found this sooner. COULD NOT RECOMMEND SOMETHING MORE!!!
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I was so done with influencer skincare and was skeptical of anything new. The fact that it doesn’t use any ingredients is what actually made me try it. I’ve been using it for only 3 weeks and my skin hasn’t had a single angry flare-up and has acc improved. This is the first thing I’ve tried that didn’t make things worse and acc did something. So yeah, thumbs up from me.
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Wasn’t expecting much at first, but after a couple weeks I noticed the redness on my cheeks wasn’t as intense. More importantly, I’m not getting those sudden flare-ups as often. I can work out again and not feel like my face is on fire after. Still early but definitely moving in the right direction.
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The itching was honestly affecting my sleep more than the appearance of my eczema. After a few weeks with Nova, I noticed I wasn’t thinking about my skin nearly as much. The flare-ups still happen, but they don’t seem to escalate the same way they used to.
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PIE has honestly bothered me more than the acne itself. After about six weeks, my cheeks look much more even in natural light.
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I was buying $300 worth of skincare every two months and still breaking out (not a good look in my profession lmao). Now I use Nova daily and haven’t touched a single treatment cream in weeks. First time I feel like my skin is stable. Recommended it to all my clients aswell!!
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Tried laser and a bunch of prescription stuff before this. Results were always mixed and sometimes made things worse. This feels a lot more controlled. My redness is still there but it doesn’t escalate like it used to. I can go out, be social, not stress about it constantly. For me that’s a big win.
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My eczema would always flare up when I was stressed or the weather changed. Since using Nova, the patches on my arms and neck seem much less angry and irritated. The biggest difference is that my skin feels more stable overall.
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Those stubborn red marks on my cheeks have faded more in two months than they did in the six months before.
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As a doctor I used to stress every night about which products to use and layer — toner, serum, creams. My skin still broke out lol. Nova removed all my second-guessing. I just use it and go straight to bed. It’s become the easiest and best part of my routine.
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I’ve always had to be careful with everything — heat, skincare, even certain foods. Since using this, my skin feels a lot more stable. It’s not perfect, but I’m not constantly managing it anymore. I’ve been able to simplify my routine a lot and just live a bit more normally.
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I bought Nova hoping it would help calm the constant cycle of inflammation. My eczema hasn’t magically vanished, but my skin looks less reactive, feels less irritated, and recovers faster when I do have a flare-up. It’s become one of the few things in my routine that I genuinely don’t want to be without.
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My acne was mostly under control, but the red marks made it look like I was still breaking out constantly. NOVA has made a huge difference there.
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I’ve had eczema on and off since I was a teenager. The itching and flare-ups were the hardest part. Nova didn’t make it disappear overnight, but my skin became noticeably calmer and I wasn’t constantly reaching for creams throughout the day.
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I bought NOVA for acne, but the biggest surprise has been how much faster the leftover redness clears.
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Foundation used to be the only thing that made my skin look even. I’m using a lot less now.
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My skin isn’t perfect, but the red patches from old pimples are so much less noticeable now.
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The difference in photos is what convinced me. Same lighting, same angle, way less redness.
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I still get the occasional spot, but it doesn’t leave that bright red mark for nearly as long.
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I was expecting this to help active breakouts. Didn’t expect my old red marks to improve this much too.
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Very gradual, but definitely noticeable. My PIE looks softer every month.
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No dramatic overnight change. Just steadily less redness and a much more even-looking complexion.
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For me, the best result is that old breakouts actually look old now instead of staying bright red forever.
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I wish I started sooner. I noticed less hair in the shower first. Around month four, my crown also looked denser in the same overhead lighting. It’s the first thing I’ve tried that hasn’t felt like another cheap hair-loss gimmick.
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My part finally looks normal again. I’m not constantly moving my hair around to hide my scalp anymore. That alone has made a huge difference to my confidence.
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Honestly, I was expecting to return it. The price made me sceptical, but the device feels genuinely professional. After consistent use, my shedding slowed and my hair became much easier to style. My wife noticed before I did.
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Less scalp under bright lights. That’s the result I wanted.
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I stopped taking progress photos every second day. Before Nova, I was completely obsessed with checking my hairline. I’m six months in now, and it looks noticeably more stable. I finally feel like I’m doing something instead of just watching it get worse.
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Not an overnight miracle, but absolutely real progress. My temples are still not perfect, but the thinner hairs around my hairline look stronger and there’s far less contrast between my scalp and hair.
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The shedding reduction surprised me most. I bought Nova hoping for regrowth, but the first thing I noticed was how little hair was coming out when washing and brushing. A few months later, my part also started looking tighter.
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Expensive, yes. Worth it for me, also yes. I’ve wasted money on supplements, oils and a laser cap that did nothing. Nova is the first device that feels like serious technology, and it’s the first time I’ve seen a visible change in my crown.
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I can wear my hair down again. For years, I planned every hairstyle around hiding my widening part. It isn’t completely gone, but it’s improved enough that I’m no longer thinking about it every time I leave the house.
What the studies found.
Six published studies of cold plasma on skin, in plain English.
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Pilot trial · 12 people · 2023
Less redness, fewer rosacea lesions.
Once a day for six weeks on one side of the face: that side ended up with fewer inflammatory lesions and smaller red areas than the untreated side.
- What they found
- Six weeks of once-daily treatment on one side of the face reduced inflammatory lesion count and the size of red areas versus the untreated side, and quality-of-life scores improved. The investigator’s overall rating and redness intensity did not differ.
- Who took part
- 12 adults with erythemato-telangiectatic (3) or papulopustular (9) rosacea, median age 50.5.
- What they did
- 90 seconds per area, once daily, 6 weeks, one facial side; untreated side as control.
- Device
- PlasmaDerm Flex (CINOGY), a clinic dielectric-barrier-discharge device.
- Published in
- Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2023DOI 10.1159/000533190
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Randomised trial · 40 people · 2025
Acne severity improved more with plasma.
Everyone used a standard acne cream; the group that also had weekly plasma sessions scored better on acne severity at six and ten weeks than the placebo-device group.
- What they found
- With everyone also using adapalene, the plasma group’s investigator-rated acne severity improved more than the placebo-device group at six and ten weeks. The fall in total lesion count (45.8→22.1 vs 49.4→38.6) did not reach statistical significance.
- Who took part
- 40 adults with mild papulopustular acne, 20 per arm, all on adapalene 0.1% daily.
- What they did
- Weekly sessions for 6 weeks, up to 1 minute per area, 6 minutes per session (per register).
- Device
- Handheld clinic device (Plasma care, per the trial register) with an identical-looking placebo.
- Published in
- Dermatologic Therapy, 2025DOI 10.1155/dth/4228323
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Randomised trial · 34 people · 2021
Fewer inflamed spots after ten sessions.
One side of the face was treated: after ten sessions it showed a larger drop in inflammatory acne lesions, and more people rated that side as improved.
- What they found
- Overall, treated and untreated sides did not differ significantly in lesion counts. After ten sessions the treated side showed a larger reduction in inflammatory lesions, and more participants rated that side as improved.
- Who took part
- 34 people enrolled, 29 completed, moderate acne vulgaris.
- What they did
- 8–10 treatments on one side within 4–6 weeks; follow-up at 2 and 4 weeks.
- Device
- Cold helium plasma jet, unnamed in the abstract.
- Published in
- Applied Sciences (MDPI), 2021DOI 10.3390/app112311181
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Pilot trial · 22 people · 2021
Eczema scores and itch down in four weeks.
Three sessions over two weeks: treated eczema patches scored lower for severity and itch than sham-treated patches, with less S. aureus bacteria on the treated side.
- What they found
- After three sessions, treated lesions scored lower than sham-treated lesions on four dermatitis scales (including EASI and SCORAD) and itch at week four, with a larger fall in S. aureus on the treated side.
- Who took part
- 22 adults (13 women, 9 men, mean age 27) with mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis and symmetric lesions.
- What they did
- 3 sessions at weeks 0, 1 and 2; 5 minutes per session at 5 mm; sham on the matching lesion.
- Device
- MediPL Derm, an investigational microwave-driven argon plasma jet.
- Published in
- Scientific Reports, 2021DOI 10.1038/s41598-021-93941-y
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Review · 2025
Most promising for inflamed skin.
A review of 12 human studies found cold plasma “appears to hold promise” for some conditions, with the stronger results in inflammatory skin conditions.
- What they found
- A scoping review of 12 small human studies concludes cold plasma “appears to hold promise for some, but not all” of the conditions studied, with stronger results in inflammatory than infectious conditions.
- Who took part
- 12 human studies (6 inflammatory, 6 infectious skin conditions).
- Device
- Various clinic devices.
- Published in
- Journal of Integrative Dermatology, 2025DOI 10.64550/joid.hhwhg996
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Review · 2022
A decade of skin research, reviewed.
Covers cold plasma in wound healing, inflammatory and infectious skin conditions and hair loss, and explains the proposed mechanism: reactive species and local blood flow.
- What they found
- Reviews cold-plasma use across wound healing, inflammatory, infectious and parasitic skin conditions, skin cancers and hair loss, and summarises the proposed mechanisms (reactive species, local blood flow).
- Who took part
- Literature review.
- Device
- Multiple device types reviewed.
- Published in
- Frontiers in Oncology, 2022DOI 10.3389/fonc.2022.918484
The 60-Day Skin Trial.
Use Nova on your worst skin for 60 days. Opened, used, doesn’t matter — if your skin doesn’t change, send it back. Full refund, no restocking fee, no interrogation.
And a US$50 gift card for your time.
Minutes. Not a routine.
- 01Clean, dry skinNothing on the skin first.
- 02Glide slowly1–2 minutes per area, light pressure.
- 033–5 times a weekThen your usual products, if you use any.
5–8 minutes a session. No gels, no cartridges, nothing to buy alongside it.
Same device. One difference.
- Standard plasma output
- The model most customers choose
- 3× the plasma output
- Same device, same size, same head
Trial, warranty and shipping are identical for both.
Technology, not another product.
What has your skin cost you so far?
Prescriptions, appointments, the products that stopped working. Put in your monthly number.
- 1 year
- —
- 3 years
- —
- Nova, once
- $240.00
Everything you need. Nothing to re-buy.
- 1 × Nova device
- 1 × Charging cable
- 1 × Treatment head
- 1 × Fitted presentation case
- 1 × Quick-start guide
- 1 × Warranty card
- 1 × 60-Day Skin Trial card
No serums to repurchase. No refills. No subscription. The device is the routine.

The 60-Day Skin Trial.
Use Nova on your worst skin for 60 days. Opened, used, doesn’t matter — if your skin doesn’t change, send it back. Full refund, no restocking fee, no interrogation.
And a US$50 gift card for your time.
Before you decide.
Rosacea & redness
I’ve tried metronidazole, azelaic acid, even IPL. Why would this be different?
Because it is not another cream and not another light. Nothing is applied, nothing is absorbed and there is no heat — so it does not sting, and it is not doing what IPL or laser do. Keep whatever your clinician has prescribed; Nova runs alongside it, and you have 60 days to see the difference on your own skin.
My skin reacts to everything. Will this trigger a flare?
There is nothing in a session to react to: no heat, no chemicals, no actives. In the published rosacea pilot — 12 people, six weeks — treatment was tolerated throughout. Start on one area; if anything stings, stop and email us. You are covered by the 60-day trial either way.
Is there rosacea-specific research?
Yes. A split-face pilot recorded fewer inflammatory lesions and smaller red areas on the treated side — it is summarised in the research section above, with the journal and the study details. A research letter has also recorded lower Demodex mite counts after cold plasma.
Acne & red marks
Does it help with breakouts as well as redness?
Yes. Cold plasma is antibacterial, which is why it is used on breakouts as much as on redness — two acne trials are summarised in the research section and both recorded an improvement. You have 60 days to see it on your own skin.
Does it work on hormonal acne?
Nova works at the skin: on the bacteria and inflammation that turn a hormonal shift into a breakout. It doesn’t change your hormones, so keep anything your doctor has prescribed — Nova runs alongside it, and you have 60 days to see the difference on your own skin.
Will it dry out my skin like acne treatments do?
No retinoids, no acids, no peroxide: nothing in a session dries or peels the skin. Some people feel a mild tingle while it runs. Then your usual products, if you use any.
What exactly is PIE?
Post-Inflammatory Erythema — the flat red or pink marks that stay on skin after acne or inflammation. It’s leftover inflammation in the skin, not active acne.
Will it help acne scars?
The flat red and brown marks a breakout leaves behind, yes — that is pigment and inflammation settling, and it is what most people mean by scarring. Indented scars are lost collagen and need a clinic procedure to rebuild.
I’ve used the entire tube of scar gel and it did nothing. Why would this be different?
Gels and serums sit on top of the skin. Nova is a device — cold atmospheric plasma working directly at the surface, a different mechanism entirely.
How is this different from the LED mask in my drawer?
LED is light. Nova is cold atmospheric plasma — ionised air that reduces surface bacteria and calms reactive skin, with nothing absorbed into your body.
Eczema-prone skin
I’ve tried steroids, moisturisers, even Dupixent. Why would this be different?
Because it is not a cream, a steroid or a drug — nothing goes into your skin at all. It works at the surface, on the inflammation and the bacteria that keep a flare going. Keep whatever your clinician has prescribed; Nova runs alongside it, and you have 60 days to see what it does for you.
Will it irritate my skin or trigger a flare?
There is nothing in a session to irritate it: no heat, no ingredients, nothing absorbed. In the atopic dermatitis pilot, three sessions over two weeks were tolerated. Start on one small area, use your emollient afterwards, and if anything stings, stop and email us.
Is it suitable for children?
Nova is made for adults. For a child, ask their clinician first.
Thinning hair
Can I use Nova on thinning hair?
Yes. Glide it slowly over the thinning areas — crown, part or hairline — 4–8 minutes a session, 4–7 sessions a week. Nothing is absorbed into your body: no drugs, no hormones, no shedding phase. The research on cold plasma and hair is early, which is why you get 60 days to judge it on your own scalp.
I’m on minoxidil. Do I stop?
No. Don’t change anything you’re on without speaking to your doctor. Nova is designed to sit alongside what you’re already doing, not replace it.
Will it work on completely bald areas?
Where follicles are gone, nothing brings them back — not this, not anything. Nova is for thinning and miniaturising hair, not scarred or fully bald scalp.
Using Nova
How do I use it?
Clean, dry skin. Glide the head slowly over each area with light pressure: 1–2 minutes per area, 5–8 minutes a session, 3–5 sessions a week. Then your usual products. Nothing to buy alongside it.
Does it hurt or burn?
No. Nova is non-thermal — the plasma runs at skin temperature. It is not a plasma pen. Some people feel a mild tingle during a session.
Can I keep using my skincare or prescription?
Yes. Nova first, on clean dry skin, then your usual products. Don’t stop a prescribed treatment without asking the clinician who prescribed it.
How do I look after it?
Keep the head clean and dry between sessions and charge it with the included cable. Anything else: email info@sub-zero.shop — a person replies within 1–2 business days.
Suitability & expectations
Who should check with a doctor first?
Nova is for adults. If you’re pregnant, have a pacemaker or implanted device, epilepsy, a skin-cancer history or an open wound, ask your clinician before using any cold-plasma device. Nova doesn’t diagnose anything and isn’t medical advice.
How long before I know if it’s working?
Think in weeks, not days. The published trials ran 4–12 weeks, which is why the trial is 60 days and not 14. Take a photo on day 0 in the same light — that is how you will see it.
Is there research behind it?
Yes. The published research on cold plasma and skin is summarised in plain English further up this page, with the journal and the study details behind every card.
Nova vs Nova Max
What’s the difference between Nova and Nova Max?
Same device, same technology, same head. Nova Max puts out three times the plasma power, so sessions are quicker and it suits larger or more stubborn areas. Trial, warranty and shipping are identical on both.
Buying, trial & payment
What if it isn’t right for me?
Email info@sub-zero.shop with your order number within 60 days of delivery. Opened and used is fine; send it back complete and the full purchase price goes back to your card, no restocking fee. You cover return postage. If your skin hasn’t changed, we also send a US$50 gift card to a retailer of your choice. The full refund policy is in the site footer.
What’s in the box?
Nova device, charging cable and treatment head in the fitted case, plus the quick-start guide, warranty card and 60-day trial card. No consumables, refills or cartridges, ever.
What does the lifetime warranty cover?
Manufacturing faults, for the life of the device, for the original buyer — we repair or replace it. Accidental damage, misuse and cosmetic wear aren’t covered.
Shipping and delivery?
Free worldwide, duties and customs covered. Dispatched in 1–2 business days; delivery 7–14 business days internationally, 3–7 within Australia. Tracking arrives by email.
How can I pay?
Card, Shop Pay and the wallets your device supports. One payment, no subscription. HSA/FSA cards work at checkout — Truemed handles the eligibility paperwork, and a refund under the trial goes back to the same card.
Judge it on your own skin.
Sixty days from the day it arrives. Use it on your worst skin; if nothing changes, send it back, opened and used, for a full refund.
Free worldwide shipping, duties covered. Ships in 1–2 business days.
New Pair Nova with BARRIER
Mist, let it dry, Nova, then Night Balm.
BARRIER: four steps, built for people living with eczema.
The System, $140.00: save $23.20 vs. buying separately.
The studies, results and reviews above are Nova’s, not BARRIER’s. Nova’s trial, warranty and HSA/FSA eligibility are Nova’s only.
The System is charged today; cancel any time before it ships.
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