REALLY? THE FACTS Many Americans are quick to plop down large sums of money for trendy haircuts or trips to upscale salons, but some hairstyles can carry unforeseeable costs. Tight ponytails, cornrows, buns, chignons, twists and other hairstyles that pull on the scalp for prolonged periods can result in irreversible hair loss, a medical condition known as traction alopecia. There are no figures on how many people in the United States have experienced the problem, but it is probably most common in women and children. It is also prevalent among African-Americans and East Indians, groups that are more likely to...