Linea Nigra: What It Is and Causes of Pregnancy Belly Lines

Key takeaways:

Linea nigra, or “pregnancy line,” is common and normal in pregnancy.
Linea nigra doesn’t help predict the sex of your baby.
Linea nigra doesn’t need treatment, and it starts to resolve in the months after birth.

Pregnancy leads to many changes in your body. Developing linea nigra — a dark line down your belly — is common and normal. In fact, linea nigra is sometimes referred to as a “pregnancy line.” It will start to fade after your pregnancy.

Here’s a closer look at linea nigra, including why it happens and when you can expect it to fade.

What causes linea nigra during pregnancy?

The cause of darkening skin (hyperpigmentation) during pregnancy is related to an increase in melanin in skin cells. Melanin is what gives your skin color. Hormonal changes during pregnancy and increased estrogen levels can cause an increase in melanin.

There are many areas of the body that can darken during pregnancy. For example, nipples and the areola darken. Some people may get darkening of the skin, especially on the face (melasma).

Most people will have some skin changes during pregnancy. Up to 90% of pregnant women may get linea nigra, but it doesn’t happen in everyone. Some people may be more likely to develop this skin change in pregnancy. Some factors that may increase your risk include:

Genetics
Sun exposure
Medication side effects
Having a darker skin tone

When does linea nigra start during pregnancy?

Most people will begin to notice a dark line forming in the second trimester. They may also notice darkening of other areas such as the nipples, areola, and skin on the face.

Linea nigra often starts at your belly button and runs down to your pubic bone. It may also go up above your belly button toward your chest.

When will linea nigra go away?

Linea nigra will start to resolve and lighten after pregnancy. And it generally resolves within several months to a year after birth. For some people, some darkening may persist longer.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

Skin care products during pregnancy: From sunscreen to common skin care products, learn what’s safe to use during pregnancy.
Dealing with pregnancy acne: Learn what causes breakouts during pregnancy and the best treatment options.
Hyperpigmentation on darker skin: Read about the different types of dark spots (with pictures) and what to do about them.

Can you have linea nigra when you’re not pregnant?

Linea nigra happens when there’s a shift in hormones, including rising estrogen levels. This leads to increased melanin and darkening of the skin. This most often occurs during pregnancy. However, it can happen with other hormonal changes such as with the use of birth control pills or with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Linea nigra can also occur in healthy babies and children. It can also happen in men, particularly those with prostate conditions such as benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) and prostate cancer.

Can my linea nigra help predict the sex of my baby?

No, while some folktales claim that linea nigra can predict the sex of a baby, there’s no scientific evidence supporting this.

How do I treat linea nigra?

Linea nigra doesn’t need treatment, and it’ll slowly fade after birth. If it bothers you or it persists, there may be some treatments that can help it go away faster.

Can skin care products help with linea nigra?

Using sunscreen and protecting your skin from sun exposure are the best ways to help linea nigra resolve. Some people may turn to bleaching creams, but these have risks and toxicities. Plus, they aren’t safe if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. Be sure to review any topical creams or medications with a healthcare professional before you use them.

Frequently asked questions

The main hormone involved in causing linea nigra is estrogen, which can stimulate skin cells to make more melanin pigment. Increased progesterone also contributes to the higher amount of melanin produced.

Linea nigra is pretty easy to diagnose by looking at it. It develops as a thin, dark line that’s usually located between the belly button and pubic bone. In some people, the line can extend above the belly button toward the chest.

Yes. Although it’s not as common as during pregnancy, the fluctuating hormone levels during PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) can cause linea nigra in some people.

No, having linea nigra isn’t dangerous or a sign of any problem. It’s normal and common to develop linea nigra during healthy pregnancies. And it usually fades after the pregnancy is over.

The bottom line

Linea nigra, or a pregnancy line, isn’t a cause for concern. In fact, it’s normal and happens in most healthy pregnancies. While you may be eager to return to your pre-pregnancy skin, linea nigra may persist for some time. It isn’t dangerous and often doesn’t need treatment. As your baby grows and your body recovers from pregnancy, linea nigra will fade on its own.

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Written by:

Christina Palmer, MD

Christina Palmer, MD, is a board-certified family physician with a focus on chronic care management, women’s health, and mental health. She’s the co-author of “Open Heart: When Open-Heart Surgery Becomes Your Best Option.”.

Edited by:

Karla Robinson, MD

Karla Robinson, MD, is a medical editor for GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified family physician with almost 20 years of experience in health through varied clinical, administrative, and educational roles.

Reviewed by:

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA, is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist who has practiced dermatology and dermatopathology for over 10 years across private practice, academic, and telehealth settings. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Dermatopathology.

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