Abstract: The invention relates to a UV fluorescent tube for tanning the skin by means of UV radiation having a discharge vessel for an electrical discharge of gas; having a discharge medium received in the discharge vessel wherein a primary radiation may be generated by means of a discharge of gas; and having a transforming agent for transforming the primary radiation into an emissible UV radiation useable for tanning. The UV fluorescent tube in accordance with the invention is characterized in that said transforming agent is selected such that there occurs a maximum spectral intensity of said emissible UV radiation at a wavelength which is larger than a wavelength at which the maximum pigment darkening of the skin occurs; and that the spectral intensity of said emissible radiation at the wavelength where the maximum pigment darkening of the skin occurs, is smaller than 50% of the maximum spectral intensity.