A doctor is set to unveil the world's first makeup range that is resistant to acid attacks. Dr. Almas Ahmed is set to lead a discussion on the rise of the use of noxious substances in assaults and what can be done to prevent the life-changing impact they have.
Dr Ahmed first started researching the idea of acid attack resistant make up more than 10 years ago, after model Katie Piper was attacked with sulphuric acid by Stefan Sylvestre, but it was a chat with her dad that inspired her to make the concept a reality."I used to travel down to London for research quite often," she said."Before one trip, my dad gave me two litres of water. I went to drink it, and he said: 'Don't drink it. It's got bicarb in it.'
"He said: 'If somebody attacks you, just douse it on your face and it should neutralise the acid.'"I was really shocked that my dad was worried about that. That made me revisit the research and finish it off."Dr Ahmed stresses that using bicarbonate of soda is not an effective way of treating acid attacks, 'just use lots of clean, freshwater, but her makeup range will be the first in the world to repel acid, by forming a barrier between your skin and the acid. The secret formula has been tried and tested, with Dr Ahmed's world-leading invention due to hit the shelves across the world in 2020."Traditional makeup does not repel acid at all," she explained. "With my makeup range, you just put it on as normal, but if somebody throws acid on you, all you do is rinse it off. "Your skin will be intact, even if your clothes might not be."
The plan is to launch the makeup range in Arab countries and India, where acid attacks are often a form of 'gender terrorism', before bringing it to the UK market. But Dr Ahmed is going one step further than just creating the makeup. She's also employing victims of acid attacks to work within the company. She said: "A lot of victims find it very difficult to get a job. Because their faces are so disfigured no one will hire them. Plastic surgery is not affordable for them. "I'm also working with psychologists and psychiatrists to help the victims become as independent as possible. "A lot of people were saying to set up a charity - which I've done anyway - but that's not what they want. "When you pity someone you take away their power, and they want to feel empowered, strong, and independent. The best way to do that is to give them opportunities. "While the majority of acid attacks in the UK happen in London, there were 43 incidents in West Yorkshire in the three years up to 2018. Four of the victims were officers with West Yorkshire Police.
The panel discussion at Leeds International Festival will see Dr Ahmed joined by skin scientist Dr Julie Thornton and women’s rights expert Danielle Cornish Spencer to explore the issue." It's really exciting because it's giving women a platform," said Dr Ahmed." You don't see a lot of doctors, scientists, and academics speaking at big events like this, but this is very different. "We'll have a chance to speak to women who normally aren't involved in things like this."