When she steps into a tanning bed, junior Nicole Harter said she feels as if she is laying on the beach with warm sunlight beaming down on her.

As a member of a local tanning salon, Harter uses indoor tanning beds to prepare for school dances. Harter said she began using indoor tanning beds freshman year with parental consent and now maintains a membership.

Senior Nikki Gerber also uses indoor tanning beds about once every two weeks.

Both Harter and Gerber said they have yet to see any negative effects of using indoor tanning beds.

“I’ve had no negative effects that I can see, but there probably will be in the future” Gerber said.

Starting Jan. 1, 2014, legislation says the use of indoor tanning beds will not be possible for either Harter or Gerber until they are 18 years old. On Aug. 15, Governor Pat Quinn signed a law that banned the usage of indoor tanning beds by Illinois minors.

Dermatologist Raymond Handler said he supports the legislation. According to Handler, indoor tanning beds increase exposure to ultraviolet light by releasing both UVA and UVB rays, which damage the skin. Handler said that indoor tanning beds increase the risks for developing skin cancer by adding to normal sunlight exposure.

“Tanning beds are being used much more often to get a glow to the skin,” said Handler. “But if you get a glow to the skin, you’re getting damage to the skin also.”

Instead of using indoor tanning beds, Handler advises to go outside for 10 minutes a day, or use self-tanners, including lotion and spray tans, to achieve a healthy glow.

Although Harter and Gerber use indoor tanning beds, they both said they understand the purpose of the legislation.

“I know obviously [tanning beds] aren’t the healthiest thing for you,” Harter said.

Donald Hirsch, owner of Ultimate Exposure Tanning Centers, said he does not support the recent legislation.

According to Hirsch, “Using indoor tanning beds is necessary in order to provide the body with Vitamin D, especially during the winter.” Hirsch said he advocates for responsible tanning and understands that burning and overexposure are bad for the skin.

“I believe that tanning in moderation without burning is healthy for you,” Hirsch said.

Hirsch said he believes that parents should have a choice in allowing their children to use indoor tanning beds.

“The government should not make that choice for me,” Hirsch said.