Document And Entity Information	6 Months Ended
Document And Entity Information	Jun. 30, 2015	Jul. 31, 2015
Entity Registrant Name	CUTERA INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001162461
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		14,137,164
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 11,627	$ 9,803
Marketable investments	54,708	71,343
Accounts receivable, net	8,919	11,137
Inventories	13,521	10,988
Deferred tax asset	27	26
Other current assets and prepaid expenses	1,625	1,591
Total current assets	90,427	104,888
Property and equipment, net	1,512	1,461
Deferred tax asset, net of current portion	283	269
Intangibles, net	332	595
Goodwill	1,339	1,339
Other long-term assets	351	361
Total assets	94,244	108,913
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	3,597	3,083
Accrued liabilities	10,308	11,007
Deferred revenue	8,659	8,898
Total current liabilities	22,564	22,988
Deferred revenue, net of current portion	3,107	4,346
Income tax liability	180	145
Other long-term liabilities	699	926
Total liabilities	26,550	28,405
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 10)
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.001 par value; authorized: 50,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding: 14,230,448 and 14,446,950 shares at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	14	14
Additional paid-in capital	98,428	105,721
Accumulated deficit	(30,765)	(25,232)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	17	5
Total stockholders’ equity	67,694	80,508
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	94,244	108,913
Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Stockholders’ equity:
Convertible preferred stock, $0.001 par value; authorized: 5,000,000 shares; none issued and outstanding

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, authorized (in shares)	50,000,000	50,000,000
Common stock, issued (in shares)	14,230,448	14,446,950
Common stock, outstanding (in shares)	14,230,448	14,446,950
Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Convertible preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Convertible preferred stock, authorized (in shares)	5,000,000	5,000,000
Convertible preferred stock, issued (in shares)	0	0
Convertible preferred stock, outstanding (in shares)	0	0

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Net revenue:
Products	$ 18,042,000	$ 13,171,000	$ 32,745,000	$ 24,923,000
Service	4,521,000	4,553,000	8,889,000	8,990,000
Total net revenue	22,563,000	17,724,000	41,634,000	33,913,000
Cost of revenue:
Products	7,621,000	5,917,000	14,930,000	10,994,000
Service	2,066,000	1,931,000	3,809,000	4,157,000
Total cost of revenue	9,687,000	7,848,000	18,739,000	15,151,000
Gross profit	12,876,000	9,876,000	22,895,000	18,762,000
Operating expenses:
Sales and marketing	9,066,000	7,754,000	17,253,000	15,085,000
Research and development	2,728,000	2,622,000	5,173,000	5,266,000
General and administrative	3,014,000	2,335,000	6,003,000	4,899,000
Total operating expenses	14,808,000	12,711,000	28,429,000	25,250,000
Loss from operations	(1,932,000)	(2,835,000)	(5,534,000)	(6,488,000)
Interest and other income, net	96,000	138,000	104,000	218,000
Loss before income taxes	(1,836,000)	(2,697,000)	(5,430,000)	(6,270,000)
Provision for income taxes	53,000	44,000	103,000	81,000
Net loss	$ (1,889,000)	$ (2,741,000)	$ (5,533,000)	$ (6,351,000)
Net loss per share:
Basic and Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.13)	$ (0.19)	$ (0.37)	$ (0.45)
Weighted-average number of shares used in per share calculations:
Basic and Diluted (in shares)	14,441	14,231	14,758	14,127

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Net loss	$ (1,889)	$ (2,741)	$ (5,533)	$ (6,351)
Available-for-sale investments
Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale investments	(13)	26	20	28
Less: Reclassification adjustment for gains on investments recognized during the year	(1)	(1)	(2)	(1)
Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale investments	(14)	25	18	27
Tax provision (benefit)	(5)	9	6	10
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(9)	16	12	17
Comprehensive loss	$ (1,898)	$ (2,725)	$ (5,521)	$ (6,334)

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$ (5,533)	$ (6,351)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Stock-based compensation	1,943	1,318
Depreciation and amortization	622	660
Other	245	93
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	2,218	2,079
Inventories	(2,533)	(1,024)
Other current assets and prepaid expenses	154	(99)
Other long-term assets	10	309
Accounts payable	514	208
Accrued liabilities	(686)	(1,885)
Other long-term liabilities	(145)	(141)
Deferred revenue	(1,478)	1,305
Income tax liability	35	36
Net cash used in operating activities	(4,634)	(3,492)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of property, equipment and software	(678)	(283)
Proceeds from sales of marketable investments	7,379	4,681
Proceeds from maturities of marketable investments	21,350	19,165
Purchase of marketable investments	(12,262)	(27,850)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	15,789	(4,287)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repurchase of common stock	(17,744)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and employee stock purchase plan	8,508	2,511
Payments on capital lease obligations	(95)	(72)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(9,331)	2,439
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	1,824	(5,340)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	9,803	16,242
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 11,627	$ 10,902

Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	6 Months Ended
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Jun. 30, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Organization, Consolidation, Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Accounting Policies [Text Block]	Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Description of Operations and Principles of Consolidation Cutera, Inc. (“Cutera” or the “Company”) is a global provider of laser and other energy-based aesthetic systems for practitioners worldwide. The Company designs, develops, manufactures, and markets laser and other energy-based product platforms for use by physicians and other qualified practitioners, which enable them to offer safe and effective aesthetic treatments to their customers. The Company currently markets the following key product platforms: CoolGlide ® , xeo ® , solera ® , GenesisPlus TM , excel V TM , truSculpt TM , excel HR TM , enlighten TM and myQ TM . The Company’s products offer multiple hand pieces and applications, which allow customers to upgrade their systems. The sales of systems, upgrades, hand pieces, Titan refills and the distribution of third party manufactured cosmeceuticals (or “Skincare” ) are classified as “Product” revenue. In the second quarter of 2014, the Company terminated its agreement with Merz Pharma GmbH (“Merz”) for the distribution of its Radiesse dermal filler product. In addition to Product revenue, the Company generates revenue from the sale of post-warranty service contracts, parts, detachable hand piece replacements (except for Titan ) and service labor for the repair and maintenance of products that are out of warranty, all of which is classified as “Service” revenue. Headquartered in Brisbane, California, the Company has wholly-owned subsidiaries in Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan , Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries and all inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated. The Company markets, sells and services its products outside of the United States through its direct employees as well as a global distributor network. Unaudited Interim Financial Information The interim financial information filed is unaudited. The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in this report reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) that the Company considers necessary for the fair statement of the results of operations for the interim periods covered and of the financial condition of the Company at the date of the interim balance sheet. The December 31, 2014 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) . The results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire year or any other interim period. The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s previously filed audited financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC” ) on March 16, 2015. Use of Estimates The preparation of interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Company’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and disclosed in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates these estimates, including those related to revenue elements, warranty obligations, sales commissions, accounts receivable and sales allowances, provision for excess and obsolete inventories, fair values of marketable investments, fair values of acquired intangible assets, useful lives of intangible assets and property and equipment, fair values of performance stock units and options to purchase the Company’s stock, recoverability of deferred tax assets, legal matters and claims, and effective income tax rates, among others. Management bases these estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities. Recent Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, the Financial Accountings Standards Board ( “FASB” ) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers , or ASU 2014-09, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The standard will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective and shall take effect on January 1, 2017. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method and the early application of the standard is not permitted. The Company is presently evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures and has not yet selected a transition method . In August 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-15, Disclosure of Uncertainties About an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern. This standard update provides guidance around management's responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. The new guidance is effective for all annual and interim periods ending after December 15, 2016. The new guidance will not have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Note 2 - Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Investments

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Notes to Financial Statements

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities [Text Block]

Note 2.

Cash

Cash Equivalents

and

Marketable

Investments

The Company invests its cash primarily in money market funds, commercial paper, corporate notes and bonds, municipal bonds, and debt securities issued by the U.S. government and its agencies. The Company considers all highly liquid investments, with an original maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase, to be cash equivalents. Investments with maturities of greater than three months at the time of purchase are accounted for as “available-for-sale

,” are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses reported as a component of stockholders’ equity, are held for use in current operations and are classified in current assets as “marketable investments

.”

The following tables summarize the components, and the unrealized gains and losses position, related to the Company’s cash, cash equivalents and marketable investments (in thousands):

June 30, 2015	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash	$	6,771	$	—	$	—		$	6,771
Money market funds		4,856		—		—			4,856
Commercial paper		—		—		—			—
Total cash and cash equivalents		11,627		—		—			11,627

Marketable investments:
U.S. government notes		14,321		34		—			14,355
U.S. government agencies		14,178		28		—			14,206
Municipal securities		3,919		4		—			3,923
Commercial paper		8,789		5		—			8,794
Corporate debt securities		13,428		6		(4	)		13,430
Total marketable investments		54,635		77		(4	)		54,708

Total cash, cash equivalents and marketable investments	$	66,262	$	77	$	(4	)	$	66,335

December 31, 2014	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash	$	7,761	$	—	$	—		$	7,761
Money market funds		242		—		—			242
Commercial paper		1,800		—		—			1,800
Total cash and cash equivalents		9,803		—		—			9,803

Marketable investments:
U.S. government notes		18,345		17		(1	)		18,361
U.S. government agencies		19,768		33		(1	)		19,800
Municipal securities		3,607		3		(3	)		3,607
Commercial paper		10,693		2		—			10,695
Corporate debt securities		18,875		13		(8	)		18,880
Total marketable investments		71,288		68		(13	)		71,343

Total cash, cash equivalents and marketable investments	$	81,091	$	68	$	(13	)	$	81,146

As of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, total gross unrealized losses were $4

,000 and $13,000, respectively, and were related to interest rate changes on available-for-sale marketable investments. The Company has concluded that it is more-likely-than-not that the securities will be held until maturity or the recovery of their cost basis. No securities were in an unrealized loss position for more than 12 months

Table Of Contents

The following table summarizes the contractual maturities of the Company’s available-for-sale securities, classified as marketable investments as of June 30, 2015 (in thousands):

	Amount
Due in less than one year	$	38,862
Due in 1 to 3 years		15,846
	$	54,708

Note 3 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Notes to Financial Statements

Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]

Note 3.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value hierarchy distinguishes between (1) market participant assumptions developed based on market data obtained from independent sources

(observable inputs)

and (2) an entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (

unobservable inputs

). The fair value hierarchy consists of three broad levels, which gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities

(Level 1)

and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs

(Level 3).

The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

●

Level 1:

Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for assets or liabilities.

●

Level 2:

Directly or indirectly observable inputs as of the reporting date through correlation with market data, including quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets and quoted prices in markets that are not active. Level 2 also includes assets and liabilities that are valued using models or other pricing methodologies that do not require significant judgment since the input assumptions used in the models, such as interest rates and volatility factors, are corroborated by readily observable data from actively quoted markets for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.

●

Level 3:

Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and reflect the use of significant management judgment. These values are generally determined using pricing models for which the assumptions utilize management’s estimates of market participant assumptions.

In determining fair value, the Company utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible as well as considers counterparty credit risk in its assessment of fair value.

As of June 30, 2015, financial assets measured and recognized at fair value on a recurring basis and classified under the appropriate level of the fair value hierarchy as described above were as follows (in thousands):

June 30, 2015	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Cash equivalents:
Money market funds	$	4,856	$	—	$	—	$	4,856
Commercial paper		—		—		—		—
Marketable investments:
Available-for-sale securities		—		54,708		—		54,708
Total assets at fair value	$	4,856	$	54,708	$	—	$	59,564

As of December 31, 2014, financial assets measured and recognized at fair value on a recurring basis and classified under the appropriate level of the fair value hierarchy as described above was as follows (in thousands):

December 31, 2014	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Cash equivalents:
Money market funds	$	242	$	—	$	—	$	242
Commercial paper		—		1,800		—		1,800
Marketable investments:
Available-for-sale securities		—		71,343		—		71,343
Total assets at fair value	$	242	$	73,143	$	—	$	73,385

The Company’s Level 2 investments include U.S. government-backed securities and corporate securities that are valued based upon observable inputs that may include benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers and reference data including market research publications. The average remaining maturity of the Company’s Level 2 investments as of June 30, 2015 is less than 36 months and all of these investments are rated by S&P and Moody’s at A or better

Note 5 - Warranty

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Notes to Financial Statements

Product Warranty Disclosure [Text Block]

Note 5. Warranty

The Company provides a standard one-year warranty on all systems. Warranty coverage provided is for labor and parts necessary to repair the systems during the warranty period. The Company accounts for the estimated warranty cost of the standard warranty coverage as a charge to costs of revenue when revenue is recognized. The estimated warranty cost is based on historical product performance. To determine the estimated warranty reserve, the Company utilizes historical service costs to calculate the expected service expense per system and applies this to the equivalent number of units exposed under warranty. The Company updates these estimated charges every quarter.

The following table provides the changes in the product warranty accrual for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	June 30,						June 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Beginning Balance	$	1,203		$	1,071		$	1,167		$	1,202
Add: Accruals for warranties issued during the period		736			591			1,552			1,047
Less: Settlements made during the period		(685	)		(582	)		(1,465	)		(1,169	)
Ending Balance	$	1,254		$	1,080		$	1,254		$	1,080

Note 6 - Deferred Service Contract Revenue

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Notes to Financial Statements

Deferred Revenue Disclosure [Text Block]

Note 6. Deferred Service Contract Revenue

The Company generates Service revenue from the sale of extended service contracts and from time and material services provided to customers who are not under a warranty or extended service contract. Service contract revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the period of the applicable contract. Service revenue, from customers whose systems are not under a service contract, is recognized as the services are provided.

The following table provides changes in the deferred service contract revenue balance for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	June 30,						June 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Beginning Balance	$	12,528		$	12,292		$	12,949		$	11,637
Add: Payments received		2,250			3,856			5,052			7,567
Less: Revenue recognized		(3,232	)		(3,147	)		(6,455	)		(6,203	)
Ending Balance	$	11,546		$	13,001		$	11,546		$	13,001

Costs for extended service contracts were $1.4 million and $1.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $3.1 million and $3.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Note 7 - Stockholders' Equity and Stock-based Compensation Expense

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Notes to Financial Statements

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]

Note 7. Stockholders’ Equity and Stock-based Compensation Expense

Share Repurchase Program

On February 18, 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors modified Cutera, Inc.’s stock buyback program (

“Modified Stock Buyback Program”

), from $10 million to $40 million, under which the Company’s issued and outstanding common shares can be repurchased through a 10b5-1 program based on predetermined pricing and volume parameters, as well as open-market purchases that are subject to management discretion and regulatory restrictions.

In the three months ended June 3

0, 2015, the Company repurchased 878,454 shares of its common stock for approximately $12.5 million. In the six months ended June 3

0, 2015, the Company repurchased 1,264,609 shares of its common stock for approximately $17.7 million. As of June 30, 2015, there remained an additional $22.3 million to be purchased under the Modified Stock Buyback Program. The number of shares to be repurchased, and the timing of such repurchases, will be based on several factors, including the price of the Company's common stock, regulatory restrictions, and general market and business conditions. All shares repurchased are retired and returned to authorized but unissued status.

Table Of Contents

Stock-based Compensation Expense

Stock-based compensation expense by department recognized during the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 were as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	June 30,				June 30,
	2015		2014		2015		2014
Cost of revenue	$	114	$	139	$	217	$	271
Sales and marketing		231		148		416		219
Research and development		180		115		362		239
General and administrative		457		291		948		589
Total stock-based compensation expense	$	982	$	693	$	1,943	$	1,318

Under the 2004 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended, the Company issued 286,252 and 934,905 shares of common stock during the three and six months ended June 3

0, 2015

, in conjunction with stock options exercised

Activity under the Company’s 2004 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended, is summarized as follows:

				Options Outstanding
	Shares Available for Grant			Number of Stock Options Outstanding			Weighted- Average Exercise Price
Balance, December 31, 2014		129,760			3,462,567		$	9.39
Additional shares reserved		1,300,000			—			—
Options granted		(121,000	)		121,000			13.12
Restricted stock units granted*		(75,302	)		—			—
Options exercised		—			(934,905	)		9.23
Options canceled		188,452			(188,452	)		10.91
Restricted stock units canceled*		36,040			—			—
Balance, June 30, 2015		1,457,950			2,460,210		$	9.51

(*) Stock awards are counted at 2.12 shares for every 1 share granted or canceled when computing the Shares Available for Grant.

As of June 3

0, 2015, there was $4.1 million of unrecognized compensation expense, net of projected forfeitures

, related to non-vested equity awards. The expense is expected to be recognized over the remaining weighted-average period of 2.4 years.

Note 8 - Net Loss Per Share

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Notes to Financial Statements

Earnings Per Share [Text Block]

Note 8. Net Loss Per Share

Basic net loss per share is calculated by dividing net loss by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted net loss per common share is the same as basic net loss per common share, as the effect of the potential common stock equivalents is anti-dilutive and as such is excluded from the calculations of the diluted net loss per share.

The following numbers of shares outstanding, prior to the application of the treasury stock method, were excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per common share for the periods presented because including them would have had an anti-dilutive effect (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	June 30,				June 30,
	201 5		201 4		201 5		201 4
Options to purchase common stock		2,618		3,414		2,903		3,553
Restricted stock units		295		149		305		161
Performance stock units		96		6		96		6
Employee stock purchase plan shares		58		54		58		54
Total		3,067		3,623		3,362		3,774

Note 9 - Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
Note 9 - Income Taxes	Jun. 30, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 9. Income Taxes The Company’s quarterly income taxes reflect an estimate of the corresponding year’s annual effective tax rate and include, when applicable, adjustments from discrete tax items. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, the Company’s tax provision was $53,000 and $103,000, compared to $44,000 and $81,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 , respectively, and was primarily related to income taxes of the Company’s non-U.S. operations as the Company’s U.S. operations were in a loss position and the Company maintains a 100% valuation allowance against its U.S. deferred tax assets. The Company utilizes the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes, under which deferred taxes are determined based on the temporary differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates expected to be in effect during the years in which the basis differences reverse. A valuation allowance is recorded when it is more likely than not that some of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. As of June 3 0, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had a 100% valuation allowance against its U.S. deferred tax assets. Significant management judgment is required in determining any valuation allowance recorded against deferred tax assets. In evaluating the ability to recover deferred tax assets, the Company considered available positive and negative evidence giving greater weight to its recent cumulative losses and lesser weight to its projected financial results due to the subjectivity involved in forecasting future periods. The Company also considered, commensurate with its objective verifiability, the forecast of future taxable income including the reversal of temporary differences and the implementation of feasible and prudent tax planning strategies.

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	6 Months Ended
Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	Jun. 30, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Consolidation, Subsidiaries or Other Investments, Consolidated Entities, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Description of Operations and Principles of Consolidation Cutera, Inc. (“Cutera” or the “Company”) is a global provider of laser and other energy-based aesthetic systems for practitioners worldwide. The Company designs, develops, manufactures, and markets laser and other energy-based product platforms for use by physicians and other qualified practitioners, which enable them to offer safe and effective aesthetic treatments to their customers. The Company currently markets the following key product platforms: CoolGlide ® , xeo ® , solera ® , GenesisPlus TM , excel V TM , truSculpt TM , excel HR TM , enlighten TM and myQ TM . The Company’s products offer multiple hand pieces and applications, which allow customers to upgrade their systems. The sales of systems, upgrades, hand pieces, Titan refills and the distribution of third party manufactured cosmeceuticals (or “Skincare” ) are classified as “Product” revenue. In the second quarter of 2014, the Company terminated its agreement with Merz Pharma GmbH (“Merz”) for the distribution of its Radiesse dermal filler product. In addition to Product revenue, the Company generates revenue from the sale of post-warranty service contracts, parts, detachable hand piece replacements (except for Titan ) and service labor for the repair and maintenance of products that are out of warranty, all of which is classified as “Service” revenue. Headquartered in Brisbane, California, the Company has wholly-owned subsidiaries in Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan , Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries and all inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated. The Company markets, sells and services its products outside of the United States through its direct employees as well as a global distributor network.
Unaudited Interim Financial Information [Policy Text Block]	Unaudited Interim Financial Information The interim financial information filed is unaudited. The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in this report reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) that the Company considers necessary for the fair statement of the results of operations for the interim periods covered and of the financial condition of the Company at the date of the interim balance sheet. The December 31, 2014 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) . The results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire year or any other interim period. The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s previously filed audited financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC” ) on March 16, 2015.
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Use of Estimates The preparation of interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Company’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and disclosed in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates these estimates, including those related to revenue elements, warranty obligations, sales commissions, accounts receivable and sales allowances, provision for excess and obsolete inventories, fair values of marketable investments, fair values of acquired intangible assets, useful lives of intangible assets and property and equipment, fair values of performance stock units and options to purchase the Company’s stock, recoverability of deferred tax assets, legal matters and claims, and effective income tax rates, among others. Management bases these estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Recent Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, the Financial Accountings Standards Board ( “FASB” ) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers , or ASU 2014-09, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The standard will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective and shall take effect on January 1, 2017. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method and the early application of the standard is not permitted. The Company is presently evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures and has not yet selected a transition method . In August 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-15, Disclosure of Uncertainties About an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern. This standard update provides guidance around management's responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. The new guidance is effective for all annual and interim periods ending after December 15, 2016. The new guidance will not have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Note 2 - Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Investments (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Notes Tables

Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments [Table Text Block]

June 30, 2015	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash	$	6,771	$	—	$	—		$	6,771
Money market funds		4,856		—		—			4,856
Commercial paper		—		—		—			—
Total cash and cash equivalents		11,627		—		—			11,627

Marketable investments:
U.S. government notes		14,321		34		—			14,355
U.S. government agencies		14,178		28		—			14,206
Municipal securities		3,919		4		—			3,923
Commercial paper		8,789		5		—			8,794
Corporate debt securities		13,428		6		(4	)		13,430
Total marketable investments		54,635		77		(4	)		54,708

Total cash, cash equivalents and marketable investments	$	66,262	$	77	$	(4	)	$	66,335

	Amount
Due in less than one year	$	38,862
Due in 1 to 3 years		15,846
	$	54,708

Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Table Text Block]

December 31, 2014	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash	$	7,761	$	—	$	—		$	7,761
Money market funds		242		—		—			242
Commercial paper		1,800		—		—			1,800
Total cash and cash equivalents		9,803		—		—			9,803

Marketable investments:
U.S. government notes		18,345		17		(1	)		18,361
U.S. government agencies		19,768		33		(1	)		19,800
Municipal securities		3,607		3		(3	)		3,607
Commercial paper		10,693		2		—			10,695
Corporate debt securities		18,875		13		(8	)		18,880
Total marketable investments		71,288		68		(13	)		71,343

Total cash, cash equivalents and marketable investments	$	81,091	$	68	$	(13	)	$	81,146

Note 7 - Stockholders' Equity and Stock-based Compensation Expense (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Notes Tables

Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Table Text Block]

	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	June 30,				June 30,
	2015		2014		2015		2014
Cost of revenue	$	114	$	139	$	217	$	271
Sales and marketing		231		148		416		219
Research and development		180		115		362		239
General and administrative		457		291		948		589
Total stock-based compensation expense	$	982	$	693	$	1,943	$	1,318

Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Activity [Table Text Block]

				Options Outstanding
	Shares Available for Grant			Number of Stock Options Outstanding			Weighted- Average Exercise Price
Balance, December 31, 2014		129,760			3,462,567		$	9.39
Additional shares reserved		1,300,000			—			—
Options granted		(121,000	)		121,000			13.12
Restricted stock units granted*		(75,302	)		—			—
Options exercised		—			(934,905	)		9.23
Options canceled		188,452			(188,452	)		10.91
Restricted stock units canceled*		36,040			—			—
Balance, June 30, 2015		1,457,950			2,460,210		$	9.51

Note 2 - Unrealized Gains and Losses Related to Marketable Investments (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 11,627,000	$ 9,803,000
Money market funds	11,627,000	9,803,000
Amortized Cost	54,635,000	71,288,000
Gross Unrealized Gains	77,000	68,000
Gross Unrealized Losses	4,000	13,000
Available-for-sale securities	54,708,000	71,343,000
Gross Unrealized Losses	(4,000)	(13,000)
Amortized Cost	66,262,000	81,091,000
Fair Market Value	66,335,000	81,146,000
Cash [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents	6,771,000	7,761,000
Money market funds	6,771,000	7,761,000
Money Market Funds [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents	4,856,000	242,000
Money market funds	4,856,000	242,000
Commercial Paper [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents		1,800,000
Money market funds		1,800,000
US Treasury and Government [Member]
Amortized Cost	14,321,000	18,345,000
Gross Unrealized Gains	34,000	17,000
Gross Unrealized Losses		(1,000)
Available-for-sale securities	14,355,000	18,361,000
Gross Unrealized Losses		1,000
US Government Agencies Debt Securities [Member]
Amortized Cost	14,178,000	19,768,000
Gross Unrealized Gains	28,000	33,000
Gross Unrealized Losses		1,000
Available-for-sale securities	14,206,000	19,800,000
Gross Unrealized Losses		(1,000)
US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
Amortized Cost	3,919,000	3,607,000
Gross Unrealized Gains	4,000	3,000
Gross Unrealized Losses		3,000
Available-for-sale securities	3,923,000	3,607,000
Gross Unrealized Losses		(3,000)
Commercial Paper, Not Included with Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Amortized Cost	8,789,000	10,693,000
Gross Unrealized Gains	5,000	2,000
Gross Unrealized Losses
Available-for-sale securities	8,794,000	10,695,000
Gross Unrealized Losses
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Amortized Cost	13,428,000	18,875,000
Gross Unrealized Gains	6,000	13,000
Gross Unrealized Losses	4,000	8,000
Available-for-sale securities	13,430,000	18,880,000
Gross Unrealized Losses	$ (4,000)	$ (8,000)

Note 3 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Cash equivalents:
Money market funds	$ 11,627	$ 9,803
Marketable investments:
Available-for-sale securities	54,708	71,343
Money Market Funds [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Cash equivalents:
Money market funds	4,856	242
Money Market Funds [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Cash equivalents:
Money market funds
Money Market Funds [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Cash equivalents:
Money market funds
Money Market Funds [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Cash equivalents:
Money market funds	4,856	242
Money Market Funds [Member]
Cash equivalents:
Money market funds	4,856	242
Commercial Paper [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Cash equivalents:
Money market funds
Commercial Paper [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Cash equivalents:
Money market funds		1,800
Commercial Paper [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Cash equivalents:
Money market funds
Commercial Paper [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Cash equivalents:
Money market funds		1,800
Commercial Paper [Member]
Cash equivalents:
Money market funds		1,800
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Marketable investments:
Available-for-sale securities
Total Assets Fair Value	4,856	242
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Marketable investments:
Available-for-sale securities	54,708	71,343
Total Assets Fair Value	54,708	73,143
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Marketable investments:
Available-for-sale securities
Total Assets Fair Value
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Marketable investments:
Available-for-sale securities	54,708	71,343
Total Assets Fair Value	$ 59,564	$ 73,385

Note 7 - Stockholders' Equity and Stock-based Compensation Expense (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Feb. 18, 2015	Feb. 17, 2015
Number of Stock Awards Counted for Every Share Granted or Canceled		2.12
Modified Stock Buyback Program [Member]
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount	$ 22,300,000	$ 22,300,000	$ 40,000,000	$ 10,000,000
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares	878,454	1,264,609
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method	12,500,000	17,700,000
Two Thousand Four Equity Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Shares Issued in Period	286,252	934,905
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	$ 4.10	$ 4.10
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition		2 years 146 days

Note 7 - Activity Under the 2004 Equiy Incentive Plan (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Balance, December 31, 2014 (in shares)	129,760
Balance, December 31, 2014 (in shares)	3,462,567
Balance, December 31, 2014 (in dollars per share)	$ 9.39
Additional shares reserved (in shares)	1,300,000
Options granted (in shares)	(121,000)
Options granted (in shares)	121,000
Options granted (in dollars per share)	$ 13.12
Options exercised (in shares)	(934,905)
Options exercised (in dollars per share)	$ 9.23
Options canceled (in shares)	188,452
Options canceled (in shares)	(188,452)
Options canceled (in dollars per share)	$ 10.91
Balance, June 30, 2015 (in shares)	1,457,950
Balance, June 30, 2015 (in shares)	2,460,210
Balance, June 30, 2015 (in dollars per share)	$ 9.51
Restricted Stock [Member]
Restricted stock units granted* (in shares)	(75,302)
Restricted stock units canceled* (in shares)	36,040

Note 10 - Commitments and Contingencies	6 Months Ended
Note 10 - Commitments and Contingencies	Jun. 30, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 10. Commitments and Contingencies Litigation and Litigation Settlements The Company is named from time to time as a party to product liability, contractual lawsuits and other general corporate matters in the normal course of business. The Company routinely assesses the likelihood of any adverse judgments or outcomes related to legal matters and claims, as well as ranges of probable losses. A determination of the amount of the reserves required, if any, for these contingencies is made after analysis of each known issue, historical experience, whether it is more likely than not that the Company shall incur a loss, and whether the loss is estimable. As of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had an immaterial accrual for legal matters and claims and did not expect to incur any material costs beyond the amounts accrued.

Note 4 - Summary of Inventories (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Raw materials	$ 8,449	$ 7,185
Finished goods	5,072	3,803
Total	$ 13,521	$ 10,988

Note 9 - Income Taxes (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
Note 9 - Income Taxes (Details Textual) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance Percentage			100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	$ 53,000	$ 44,000	$ 103,000	$ 81,000

Note 2 - Maturities of Available-for-Sale Securities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2015
Due in less than one year	$ 38,862
Due in 1 to 3 years	15,846
	$ 54,708

Note 3 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details Textual) (Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member])	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Maximum Maturity Period Of Investments	3 years