Lanugo might be light or have no color in babies with lighter skin. Babies with darker complexions tend to have darker hair and, therefore, darker lanugo. The dark color of the hair may make it more noticeable. Babies born after 42 weeks do not usually have any visible lanugo.

How long does it take for lanugo to go away?

This thin, soft hair, called lanugo, is common: All fetuses grow it in the womb. It usually disappears by 36 to 40 weeks gestation, which explains why babies born early are especially likely to have it. Rest assured that the hair will fall out on its own by the time your baby is 4 months old.

What does lanugo hair look like?

Lanugo is a natural feature of the body during the growth of a fetus and often lasts for a short time following birth. It appears as fine, downy hair on the normally “hairless” parts of the body, including areas of the torso, arms, hands, and even face.