In response to an MSNBC.com story about the increasing popularity of Lipodissolve, readers share the extreme tactics they've used to improve their looks, such as lipolysis, liposuction and laser treatments.

Saving face: Longview native makes patients look younger without surgery

She helps people look younger and was featured on television, but her work is the antithesis of plastic surgery reality shows "Dr. 90210" or "Extreme Makeover."Instead, R.A. Long High School 1970 graduate Dr. Brandith Irwin uses her Seattle dermatology clinic and laser center to give patients a youthful appearance without putting them under the knife.Her expertise on smoothing wrinkles, minimizing blotches and blemishes and protecting skin from the sun has made her a resource for several news and magazine articles about skin care. She published her advice in her 2002 book, "Your Best Face: Looking Your Best Without Plastic Surgery," which landed her a spot on an "Oprah Winfrey" episode about aging."It's fun to help people look better because when they look better, they generally are more confident," said Irwin, 54.

LASIK eye surgery improving, doctor says

Barry Ohler, 48, Markleton, and Breiann Howsare, 26, Somerset, had something in common: Both have worn glasses or contacts for years.Now they have something else in common: They underwent LASIK eye surgery on Friday at Somerset Hospital. Dr. Daniel Vittone, who has offices in Somerset, Latrobe, Mount Pleasant and Johnstown, performed the procedures.

Vittone has been performing LASIK, which stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, surgery for 12 years. He is now using a second-generation surgical laser, the FEMTO LDV manufactured by Ziemer Ophthalmology in Switzerland. The femtosecond surgical laser is portable and is taken from hospital to hospital by technicians. (A femtosecond is one-millionth of a nanosecond, a measurement used by lasers.)Vittone has been using the laser for four months, he said, and was one of the first ophthalmologists in the nation to use it.

DENTISTRY IN THE 20TH CENTURY

1900 - Fifty-seven dental schools exist.

1905 - Alfred Einhorn, a German chemist, formulates the local anesthetic procain, later marketed under the trade name Novocain.

1907 - William Taggart invents a "lost wax" casting machine, allowing dentists to make precision cast fillings.

1910 - The first formal training program for dental nurses is established at the Ohio College of Dental Surgery. The program is discontinued in 1914 mainly due to opposition by Ohio dentists.

1924 - American Dental Assistants Association is founded by Juliette Southard and her female colleagues.

1930 - The American Board of Orthodontics, the world's first dental specialty board, is founded.

1930-1943 - Frederick S. McKay, a Colorado dentist, is convinced that brown stains (mottling) on his patients' teeth are related to their water supply.

Event at Dixieland Fun Park to raise funds for Tracy Russo

Friday, Aug. 17 will be an evening to remember as Dixieland Fun Park in Fayetteville hosts “Tracy's Night" to help raise money for former park employee Tracy Russo, who desperately needs a brain tumor surgery. This back-to-school celebration will feature all-ride armbands for only $15 - half the normal price! The net proceeds will be donated to the Tracy Russo Medical Fund.

In addition to thrill rides such as the Scream'n Swing, Zip Line, Drop Zone and the new Scream'n Eagle roller coaster, the $15 armband will also grant access to 36 holes of Dahlonega Challenge mini-golf and to the popular, two-story Laser Duel arena. Other armband rides include the Scrambler, Giant Slide, the Spider, bumper boats and the Antique Cars, plus three go-kart tracks and several rides just for the little ones.

Women just want to have fun

From exotic dance classes to cosmetic gynecology, more boomers are openly exploring their sensual sides.