Dr. Almas Ahmed is not just a doctor, but also a visionary and a trailblazer. She is the inventor of Acarrier, the world’s first makeup that can protect the skin from acid attacks. This is the remarkable story of how she turned her personal mission into a reality.
A Personal Mission
Dr. Ahmed’s story begins with a personal mission: to make a difference in the lives of women who face the threat of acid attacks. Acid attacks are a horrific form of violence that can cause severe physical and psychological damage to the victims. According to the Acid Survivors Trust International, there are over 1,500 reported cases of acid attacks every year, and 80% of them are against women.
Dr. Ahmed was deeply disturbed by the prevalence and impact of these attacks, especially in her native country of Pakistan, where acid attacks are often used as a form of revenge or punishment for women who defy social norms. She felt a strong sense of responsibility and compassion for the women who suffered from these attacks, and decided to use her medical skills and knowledge to help them.
The Spark of Inspiration
Dr. Ahmed’s inspiration for creating Acarrier came from a famous acid attack survivor: Katie Piper. Piper was a model and TV presenter who was attacked by her ex-boyfriend and an accomplice in 2008. They threw sulphuric acid on her face, leaving her with severe burns and blindness in one eye.
Dr. Ahmed was moved by Piper’s story, which she saw on a documentary called Katie: My Beautiful Face. She was amazed by Piper’s courage and resilience, and how she managed to rebuild her life and career after the attack. She also learned that Piper had to undergo over 250 surgeries and treatments, and that she used a special type of makeup called camouflage makeup to cover her scars.
Dr. Ahmed realized that camouflage makeup was not enough to protect women from acid attacks. She wondered if there was a way to create a makeup that could not only conceal scars, but also prevent acid from penetrating the skin. She decided to pursue this idea as her PhD project at the University of Leeds, where she was studying biomedical engineering.
From Vision to Reality
Dr. Ahmed’s vision was to create a makeup that would act as a barrier between the skin and the acid, preventing it from causing further damage. She named her product Acarrier, which stands for Acid Carrier. She explained that Acarrier would work by “carrying” the acid away from the skin, neutralizing it, and releasing it as water.
To achieve this, Dr. Ahmed had to overcome many challenges and obstacles. She had to find the right ingredients and formulas, test them on different types of skin and acid, and ensure that they were safe and effective. She also had to deal with the lack of funding and support for her project, as well as the skepticism and criticism from some of her peers and mentors.
Despite these difficulties, Dr. Ahmed persevered and succeeded in developing Acarrier. She tested her product on pig skin, which is similar to human skin, and found that it could reduce the damage caused by acid by up to 50%. She also tested it on human volunteers, who reported that it felt comfortable and natural on their skin.
Empowering Women, One Shade at a Time
Dr. Ahmed’s product was not only a scientific breakthrough, but also a social one. She wanted to empower women who had been affected by acid attacks, and give them a sense of confidence and security. She also wanted to raise awareness and prevent future attacks, by educating people about the causes and consequences of acid violence.
To achieve these goals, Dr. Ahmed made sure that Acarrier was not only functional, but also fashionable. She designed it to match different skin tones and types, and to suit different occasions and preferences. She also made it affordable and accessible, by partnering with local NGOs and charities that work with acid attack survivors.
Dr. Ahmed also reached out to Katie Piper, who became her mentor and supporter. Piper praised Dr. Ahmed’s product and said that it was a “game-changer” for women who had been attacked by acid. She also invited Dr. Ahmed to join her foundation, which helps acid attack survivors with their recovery and rehabilitation.
Breaking Barriers, Changing Lives
Dr. Ahmed’s product was ready to launch and change the world. She had achieved what many thought was impossible, and created a new kind of beauty product that could save lives. She had also broken many barriers, as a woman, a Muslim, and a Pakistani, in a male-dominated and conservative field.
Dr. Ahmed’s product was met with acclaim and admiration from the public and the media. She received many awards and recognitions, such as the British Muslim Award for Achievement in Science, the Women of the Future Award for Science, and the Asian Women of Achievement Award for Science. She also appeared on many TV shows and magazines, such as BBC, CNN, and Vogue.
Dr. Ahmed’s product also changed the lives of many women who had been attacked by acid. They reported that Acarrier gave them a new lease of life, and helped them regain their self-esteem and dignity. They also said that Acarrier made them feel safer and more confident in public, and that they could pursue their dreams and aspirations without fear.
A Vision for Tomorrow
Dr. Almas Ahmed’s story is a testament to the power of compassion and determination. She has shown us how one person can make a difference in the world, by using their skills and talents for a noble cause. She has also shown us how beauty can be more than skin deep, and how it can be a source of strength, protection, and hope.
Dr. Ahmed’s vision is to make Acarrier available to every woman who needs it, and to end acid violence once and for all. She hopes that her product will inspire other women to pursue their passions and potentials, and to overcome any challenges they may face. She also hopes that her product will create a more peaceful and tolerant world, where women are respected and valued for who they are.
