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Glam Fame Journal

What does a brown line on your belly mean?

Author

Sophia Dalton

Updated on March 08, 2026

What does a brown line on your belly mean?

A dark, vertical line on your stomach is called a linea nigra. A linea nigra is very common for pregnant people. It’s less common but does develop in men, nonpregnant women, and even children. A linea nigra isn’t harmful. It’s likely caused by shifts in hormones.

Does everyone get a pregnancy line?

Who Can Get Linea Nigra? Anyone can develop a dark line down their belly, although women with fair skin are less likely to have it than women with darker complexions. Women with fair skin who develop linea nigra may experience development a comparatively lighter color than women with darker skin.

When does pregnancy line on stomach appear?

It is usually about ¼ to ½ inch wide and stretches vertically down your belly from the pubis to the umbilicus. The pregnancy line or linea nigra usually grows darker as your pregnancy develops. Although it can show earlier, this pregnancy line typically shows up around the 5th month of pregnancy.

Does Brown Line on stomach go away after pregnancy?

If you have linea nigra, you’re probably wondering if and when it will go away. The good news is that once you have your baby, linea nigra typically starts fading in the months following delivery. But for some women, it never completely goes away, and it may come back if you get pregnant again.

When does the pregnancy line go away?

After your pregnancy, the linea nigra should fade over a few weeks to months, though in some women it may not disappear entirely. If you still have a pregnancy line months later and want to treat it, skin whitening products might be an option (they’re not recommended during pregnancy).

How do I get rid of the dark line on my stomach after pregnancy?

If you really want to get rid of linea nigra, Dr. Sheth says you may use bleaching creams after delivery if you’re formula-feeding, or you could try a fade cream or topical retinol. If you want a natural approach, try applying a little lemon juice to your skin.

How do you know you are pregnant with a boy?

23 signs you’re having a boy

  1. Your baby’s heartbeat is lower than 140 beats per minute.
  2. You’re carrying all out front.
  3. You’re carrying low.
  4. You’re blooming in pregnancy.
  5. You didn’t suffer from morning sickness in your first trimester.
  6. Your right breast is bigger than your left.

When does linea alba go away?

How do I clean my belly button during pregnancy?

How to clean your bellybutton

  1. Dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and gently rub the surfaces inside your bellybutton.
  2. Once the cotton swab comes out clean, use a fresh one dipped in water to rinse the alcohol out of your bellybutton so it doesn’t dry your skin.

What is black thing in belly button?

Omphaloliths. As dead skin cells and sebum — the oil secreted by your skin — accumulate in your bellybutton, they can form an omphalolith over time. Also known as a navel stone, they’re made of the same materials that form blackheads. The surface of a navel stone will turn black from oxidation.

Why is my stomach dark after pregnancy?

The dark line that runs down your belly during pregnancy is called the linea nigra (Murray and Hassall 2014). These darker patches are caused by high levels of pregnancy hormones in your body , which decrease after you’ve given birth. The brown patches will become less obvious, though some may never go away completely.