Linea nigra or alba: what it is, when it appears and what to do

The linea nigra is a vertical dark line that can appear on the belly of pregnant women, running from the navel to the pubic region or across the entire length of the belly, and appears due to the normal increase in estrogen levels during pregnancy.

When it is not visible, the linea nigra is known as linea alba, however, as the pregnancy progresses, it is possible for it to darken, but not all pregnant women have the linea nigra.

The linea nigra disappears naturally after childbirth and does not require treatment. However, to speed up the disappearance, the woman can exfoliate the area to stimulate cell renewal, as long as it is recommended by the dermatologist.

When the linea nigra appears

The linea nigra may appear or become more visible in the second trimester of pregnancy, around the 19th and 20th weeks of pregnancy. However, it can appear in the first trimester, especially if it is not your first pregnancy.

In addition to the appearance of the linea nigra, the areolas of the breasts, armpits, groin and face may also become darker, with the formation of chloasma, which are brownish spots on the face. See how to remove dark spots during pregnancy.

Does the linea nigra always appear during pregnancy?

The linea nigra does not always appear and can occur in 80 to 90% of pregnant women. Therefore, the non-appearance of the linea nigra is not a cause for concern.

Additionally, the linea nigra may be more visible in women with darker skin compared to women with lighter skin, as they have more pigment in their skin.

Why does the linea nigra appear?

The linea nigra can appear due to high levels of estrogen, which is normal during pregnancy, which results in an increase in the melanocyte-stimulating hormone.

This hormone stimulates melanocytes, which are skin cells responsible for producing melanin, a pigment that gives color to the skin, favoring darkening in the region.

Furthermore, the line becomes more evident due to the abdominal distension that occurs in order to better accommodate the developing baby.

Can the linea nigra appear in someone who is not pregnant?

Despite being a common change during pregnancy, the linea nigra can appear in non-pregnant women and men, at any age, due to hormonal variations.

This causes the linea alba to darken, resulting in the linea nigra at the bottom of the navel or throughout the abdominal region.

How long does it take to disappear?

The linea nigra normally disappears within 12 weeks after giving birth, and there is no need for any type of treatment.

However, the time may vary from woman to woman, and in some cases it may take up to 1 year to disappear.

What to do

During pregnancy, it is not necessary to undergo any treatment for the linea nigra, because it is a normal condition, due to hormonal changes during pregnancy and does not pose a risk to health.

After giving birth, no treatment is necessary either, as the linea nigra disappears naturally after a while.

However, after giving birth, the dermatologist may recommend exfoliating the skin to lighten the area more easily and quickly, as exfoliation promotes cell renewal.

Furthermore, as the linea nigra is directly related to hormonal changes, the dermatologist may also recommend the use of folic acid, which helps regulate the increased production of the hormone related to melanin, preventing the linea nigra from becoming darker or take longer to disappear after giving birth. See more about folic acid.