Rhytide
Pronunciation: RY-tide (plural: RY-ti-deez)
The clinical term for a wrinkle or skin fold, used in formal aesthetic dermatology writing in preference to the lay term 'wrinkle'.
Full Definition
A rhytide is a crease, fold, or furrow in the skin that develops primarily as a result of intrinsic ageing (loss of collagen and elastin), extrinsic ageing (photoageing, smoking), and repeated facial muscle contraction. In aesthetic dermatology, rhytides are sub-classified as dynamic (present only during muscle contraction), static (present at rest), or mixed. The plural form is 'rhytides'. Editors should use this term in preference to 'wrinkle' in peer-reviewed and clinical documents, while recognising that patient-facing materials may appropriately use lay language. The term is commonly misspelled as 'rhytid' (missing the terminal 'e') or confused with 'striae'.
Usage
Usage note: Use 'rhytide' (plural: 'rhytides') in clinical and peer-reviewed contexts. Reserve 'wrinkle' for patient-facing materials. Do not confuse with 'striae' (stretch marks) or 'folds'.
In Context
- "Treatment of periorbital rhytides with botulinum toxin resulted in a statistically significant reduction in wrinkle severity scores." — Clinical study abstract
- "The manuscript uses 'wrinkle' throughout; the editor should replace this with 'rhytide' in the methods and results sections while preserving lay language in the introduction." — Journal manuscript editing note