Line on stomach during pregnancy

It's normal to be surprised and distubed by the appearance of a dark line on your stomach that runs from your belly button down to your pubic bone! Even though it's not pretty to look at, this line, known as the linea nigra, is absolutely nothing to worry about. It will disappear after birth.

However, skin discoloration can also occur on the face. Here it is known as chloasma, or the mask of pregnancy. It forms above the lips and/or on the cheeks, forehead, chin, or even on the tip of the nose.

Chloasma occurs during the 4th and 6th month of pregnancy. "It's a change in skin pigmentation caused by exposure to the sun, stimulated by hormones, which causes cells to rise up through the deep layers of the skin towards the surface", explains Dr Frydman.

The sun is the main culprit, so protect yourself as much as possible from any rays by using total sun block, wearing sunglasses and a hat with a wide brim. Discoloration, unlike the line on your stomach, won't disappear completely after you've given birth. You will need to use creams or perhaps see a dermatologist, depending on how severe it is. 

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