Tanning businesses were split on whether April was a better business month than last year, with just over half reporting better-or-similar results as compared to April 2011, according to a SmartTan.com poll conducted in May.

According to the poll, 38 percent reported a stronger April in 2012, with 17 percent reporting results about the same as last year. Forty-six percent of salons reported weaker results in 2012. The poll was not scientific, but is directional and closely matches other SmartTan.com polls conducted this year.

“More than a third of tanning businesses are finding ways to outpace 2011 results,” Smart Tan’s Joseph Levy said. “That keeps showing up as the bottom-line of these polls”