Dark Line on Tummy

Updated on March 23, 2007
D.R. asks from Huntersville, NC
14 answers

During my last weeks of pregnancy I developed a dark line that runs directly down the center
of my tummy. I know this is normal (for some), but when does it go away??? My baby is seven weeks old now and I've still got it! Bikini season is almost here and I just want it gone!
Has anyone els had this, know when it goes away, or have any suggestions on how to make it a little better???

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So What Happened?

Thank you everyone for all the great suggestions, I really appreciate it!

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W.W.

answers from Tucson on

I am an african-american woman and I still have one. My daughter is 4 1/2 months old now. But if that is all you have to worry about before bikini season, that is nothing.

I just wish I could fit in a bikini.

1 mom found this helpful

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K.W.

answers from Phoenix on

maybe sunless tan lotion would help conceal it, good for you that you are able and thinking of a bikini so soon after birth. You go girl!!!

1 mom found this helpful
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L.H.

answers from Phoenix on

hello!

I just had my first baby 4 months ago and I still have the line!!! It isn't as dark as it used to be but you can still notice it...It isn't a big deal though, wearing a bikini wouldn't be bad looking with the line...It is just a part of life.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.

answers from Phoenix on

I had the same thing I seemed like it took about 6 months to go away.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.S.

answers from Phoenix on

hi my name is S.. my son is 6 months old and my dark line is gone. i feel like it went away when he was about 3 months old. good luck.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.H.

answers from Phoenix on

Hi D.,
My son is seven months old and I still have my line if you can believe that! I'm pretty fair-skinned, so it's very obvious and am hoping that once I start tanning again, it will go away. It's not as dark as when I was pregnant, but I too would love to see mine gone. Good luck and I am curious to see what other posters say. :)
A.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.O.

answers from Albuquerque on

Hi D.. I had the same thing happen! My dark line didn't completely and totally go away for nearly a year. It wasn't all that noticable after a while to anyone, but me. But, I could still see it for about a year.
I work for Arbonne International now, and would highly recommend trying Arbonne's NutriMinC RE9 anti-aging eye cream. Even though it sounds weird, I have clients who use this fabulous product on scars, stretch marks, sun spots, etc. It has a natural skin lightening agent that works wonders! If you'd like to try a FREE sample, you can contact me through my website at: www.mandyolsen.myarbonne.com.
Sincerely,
M. O.
Executive Area Manager, Independent Consultant
Arbonne International
www.mandyolsen.myarbonne.com

1 mom found this helpful
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B.K.

answers from Tucson on

I am fairly fair skinned and it took me a good 5 months for my to go away. It is called a linea negra and has something to do with hormones. You could try exfloliation or see a dermatologist for a lightening cream.
Good luck

1 mom found this helpful
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S.W.

answers from Phoenix on

My son is 14 months old and I still have the line. Of course it's not as dark as it was before, but it's still there. I say show it off as a mark of motherhood pride!

1 mom found this helpful
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L.M.

answers from Phoenix on

It depends on your hormones. I had that with my first son. It didn't go away until he was 2.5 years old. He is 3 years and 3 months now.

My friend thinks it's an asian thing. I don't know. My cousin didn't have this with her 2 daughters.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.J.

answers from Phoenix on

Hey there-
Saw what others have said & yes it is called a linea nigra. Pregnant mothers get it & most children develop it after birth. They likely will have it throughout breastfeeding, mom too (because of the hormones in the milk). I stopped nursing at 4 months and my son and I both still have one (he's 2 years old!). We are both fair skinned & now it tends to look like we both just forgot to put sunscreen there. A lot of it depends on if you nurse. But most women & babies lose it between 4 months & a year.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.

answers from Tucson on

HI D.,
I've had three pregnancies and had the dark line 3 time. I honestly don't remember when it went. The good news is that it does goes away without any marks. I think 7 weeks might still be a little early. I'm guessing 3 mos.? Really not sure. You would think I would remember after 3! My first was born in March and second was in Feb. By summer I was in a bikini. So don't worry it will go away. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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C.L.

answers from Albuquerque on

Congratulations!! Welcome to motherhood!!! A dark line on the tummy is very common. I had it with my first baby and although I am in no shape for a bikini, I'd highly recommend a sunless tanning product everywhere EXCEPT on the line. You can cover just the line with either with a Zinc sunscreen product, a facial masking product or simply a piece of suture tape and then apply or spray the product everywhere else. BTW, SUN EXPOSURE WILL ONLY MAKE THE LINE DARKER. If you choose the first option, I'd also recommend you use a simple paint brush to apply the mask. :-)

1 mom found this helpful
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A.M.

answers from Albuquerque on

My twins are 9 months old and I still have the line. I'm weaning right now though.It did not go away with my first 2 for about a year and I nursed both of them for about 6 months.So I agree with the nursing hormones making it stick around longer.

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