Rhytides (Wrinkles) Disease Summary

Last updated: 25 March 2026

Overview

Rhytides, or wrinkles, are visible creases or folds in the skin, as stated in the Introduction section.

Skin changes in wrinkles can begin as early as the age of 30 and become more pronounced after 40. A detailed discussion about the prevalence of rhytides is in the Epidemiology section.

The Pathophysiology section states that skin aging is a gradual decline in skin quality caused by the combined effects of chronological aging, photoaging, hormonal changes, and environmental factors. The development process of rhytides is in this section.

The Risk Factors section enumerates the factors that contribute to the development of rhytides.

The Classification section discusses the Fitzpatrick and the Glogau classifications in the assessment of the degree of skin damage in rhytides. The types of rhytides are also explained in this section.



Rhytides (Wrinkles)_Disease SummaryRhytides (Wrinkles)_Disease Summary

History and Physical Examination

The History section describes the things to inquire about in persons with rhytides, and the Physical Examination section includes the importance of visual inspection and palpation of the skin in the evaluation of persons with rhytides.

Diagnosis

Discussion in the histopathology of wrinkles is in the Laboratory Tests and Ancillaries section.  

Management

An explanation on the treatment decisions of persons with wrinkles is in the Evaluation section.

The Pharmacological Therapy section discusses in detail the therapeutic options such as botulinum toxin, chemical peels, hydroxy acids, skin booster injections, skin fillers, and other drugs for photoaging.

The Nonpharmacological section includes other treatment options for persons with rhytides such as ablative resurfacing, non-ablative rejuvenation, dermabrasion, microdermabrasion, and rhytidoplasty or rhytidectomy. This section also includes patient education on sun protection and protection strategies.

The Prevention section explains the importance of sunscreen for ultraviolet (UV) protection. Tabulation of sunscreen components is also in this section.