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What is a Linea Negra?

Tricia Christensen
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Updated: Mar 03, 2024
Views: 134,779
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A linea negra, also commonly called a linea nigra, is a dark line on the skin that runs from the navel down to the public bone and sometimes also up to the mid-abdomen. It typically occurs in women as a result of hormonal changes, and is a frequent side effect of pregnancy. The line is usually most pronounced in women with darker skin tones, and experts say is appears in about three of four normal pregnancies. Most of the time it will disappear on its own shortly after giving birth, or whenever hormone levels return to normal.

Where it Appears

Most women notice that they are developing a linea negra during around the fourth or fifth month of pregnancy, just as their “baby bump” begins to appear. It is a dark vertical line that typically runs straight down the middle of the abdomen, starting, finishing, or crossing through the belly button. In most cases it looks like a skinny strip of darker skin, almost as if someone has taken a marker or thick ink pen and traced a line down the belly.

Main Causes

Hormones are usually to blame for the line’s appearance and eventual disappearance. Pregnant women are the most likely to experience this phenomenon since they often produce high levels of estrogen and progesterone; together, these two chemicals can increase the body’s production of the skin pigment melanin. It is possible for the line to appear in women who are not pregnant and, in very rare cases, in men — but only usually as a result of a hormonal imbalance or as a side effect of certain medications or treatments.

As a Symptom of Pregnancy

Most medical authorities list the “line of pregnancy” as among the more common side effects of carrying a child. It can occur in any woman regardless of age or ethnicity, and while it is most common in people who have dark skin it is in no way exclusive to them. Sometimes paler-skinned women get an almost transparent, barely visible line, called a linea alba, that never darkens to brown. A lot depends on the specifics of the pregnancy and the chemistry of the woman’s body. It’s possible for the line to appear in a first pregnancy but not in later ones, for instance, or the other way around. In most cases, the skin returns to its normal color and the excess pigmentation leaves within a few months of childbirth.

Old Wives’ Tales and Lore

There is a lot of speculation and myth surrounding what a linea negra means for a pregnant woman. Most medical experts say that it is nothing more than a natural response to the changes needed to grow and nurture a fetus, but other folk experts say it can indicate everything from the gender of the baby to its hair color, strength, or future fortunes. Different cultures sometimes also place special significance around this outward indicator of new life.

Remedies and “Cures”

The linea negra is not harmful, and most of the time it will fade away on its own once a person’s hormones balance out. People who get the line outside of pregnancy can usually help it fade by going on hormone therapy to reduce the free estrogen levels in their blood. It is sometimes the case, though, that the darker pigmentation may fade but never disappear completely, particularly in women who carried multiple babies or whose abdominal skin was profoundly stretched at the time when the line was present.

Some practitioners say that women who want to avoid developing a line should up their intake of folic acid during the early stages of pregnancy, since deficiencies have been linked to skin problems as well as a host of other pregnancy concerns. Regularly moisturizing the skin may also help reduce the chances of developing discolorations, though a lot of it is simply beyond a person’s control. Anyone who is overly concerned about the looks of their line can usually cover it up with light makeup or concealer.

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Tricia Christensen
By Tricia Christensen
With a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and years of experience as a The Health Board contributor, Tricia Christensen is based in Northern California and brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her writing. Her wide-ranging interests include reading, writing, medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion, all of which she incorporates into her informative articles. Tricia is currently working on her first novel.
Discussion Comments
By anon975117 — On Oct 24, 2014

I am a man, but I also have a linea negra. It must not be having anything to do with pregnancy.

By anon952775 — On May 22, 2014

I am wondering if someone can help me with some information please? I am 28, and my husband and I have lost six babies.

What I want to ask is that has anyone ever felt a hard, long, somewhat thin line running upward inside from pelvic bone area through the middle up to the belly button area? What is this? Does anyone know? If so, what is this? My stomach is popped out at around my belly button area. It also, feels kind of hard too. If someone knows what I am experiencing, can you please help in any way possible? Thanks very much!

By anon352055 — On Oct 18, 2013

My Asian wife has one of these and she was never pregnant. (No jokes here. I know this for a fact.) Hers actually goes above the belly button, too. I notice many Asian women have these, and there's no way they've all been pregnant. I'm looking for an answer that does not involve pregnancy as a cause. Thank you.

By anon280920 — On Jul 20, 2012

I'm 13 so, obviously, I'm not pregnant at the moment nor have I ever been pregnant. But I do have a faint brownish line extending from the pubic bone to my belly button, and it seems to be extending a bit above my belly button as well. Is it normal to have it while not being pregnant? Is there any way to get rid of it?

By dlynn07 — On Nov 11, 2011

My first pregnancy I had this deep brown colored line (linea nigra) that ran from the bottom of my rib cage all the way down. And I'm fair skinned so it was quite noticeable. I am now 35 weeks pregnant with my second child and I have no line at all, not even a light or darkish line -- nothing! It's a bit odd to me. Any ideas as to why it was there for one pregnancy but not the other?

By turtlez — On Jul 24, 2010

@Kamchatka - Usually Linea Negra lasts longer in subsequent pregnancies for unknown reasons. You can use Cocoa Butter lotion in order to help speed the process as well as solutions like Mederma or scar cream to help lighten the overall appearance if it just seems to linger long than it should. Other than that, Linea Negra will disappear on its own mostly, but if it doesn't and none of the suggestions above don't work I would definitely consult a doctor. The line is generally harmless and only concerns people when they want to wear revealing clothing.

By Kamchatka — On Jul 24, 2010

@turtlez - Do you know if there is anyway to just get rid of it faster? I am more than three months post-partum and it's still there! I don't remember it lasting this long after my first child.

By turtlez — On Jul 24, 2010

The Linea Negra often disappears some time after pregnancy. Just as the darkness and color can vary from person to person, so can its duration. Many women will find that this line will appear closer towards the end of their pregnancy and some women will never see it.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
With a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and years of experience as a The Health Board contributor, Tricia...
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