As the title says, using runes doesnt update it.

On a side note, shouldn't it be .Runes instead of .runes, to match the rest of the elements?

Helps if you post something, such as the relavent parts from your layout.

I just spawned it right off in the layout, no functions to modify it, no if checks except of unit is player and playerclass is dk.

Here is the full code:
if(unit == 'player' and select(2, UnitClass('player')) == 'DEATHKNIGHT') then
self.runes = CreateFrame('Frame', nil, self)
self.runes:SetPoint('TOPLEFT', self, 'BOTTOMLEFT', 0, -1)
self.runes:SetHeight(4)
self.runes:SetWidth(230)
self.runes:SetBackdrop(backdrop)
self.runes:SetBackdropColor(0, 0, 0)
self.runes.anchor = 'TOPLEFT'
self.runes.growth = 'RIGHT'

    for index = 1, 6 do
        self.runes[index] = CreateFrame('StatusBar', nil, self.runes)
        self.runes[index]:SetStatusBarTexture(minimalist)

        self.runes[index].bg = self.runes[index]:CreateTexture(nil, 'BACKGROUND')
        self.runes[index].bg:SetAllPoints(self.runes[index])
        self.runes[index].bg:SetTexture(0.3, 0.3, 0.3)
    end
end