In this picture acid attack survivor Kanwal Qayyoum, 29 underwent reconstructive surgery. She was doused in acid after telling a jealous former friend that she was starting a new job as an air hostess. — AP

AP

Women who have suffered horrific acid attacks in Pakistan had their reconstructive surgery free of cost from a British clinic.

Hair transplant surgeon Asim Shahmalak spent £50,000 of his own money performing reconstructive surgery on six women who were disfigured - often for doing nothing more than spurning a man's advances.

Some of the victims were attacked with sulphuric acid which can be bought for as little as US$0.23 a bottle on the back streets of Karachi. Following the attacks, many women are shunned by society and struggle to find work.

Dr Shahmalak took a team from the hair transplant centre he runs near Manchester Airport where he performed hair, eyebrow and eyelash transplants on the women.

These remarkable pictures show how the women's faces have been transformed - months on from the initial surgery and now that the new transplanted hair has grown back.

Later this year he is planning to return to Karachi again to work on five new cases of women who were also attacked with acid.

He said: "There is so much more work to do. I am just glad that I am able to make a difference to these women's lives."

Acid attack survivor Kanwal Qayyoum, 29. — AP

In this photo released on Wednesday, March 4, 2015 shows acid attack survivor Kanwal Asher, 24, and her son Farnoor Ali Khan. Kanwal became a victim after she turned down a proposal by a man who had been stalking her.— AP

Acid attack survivor Kanwal Asher, 24. — AP

Acid attack survivor Asma Fayyaz was horrifically scarred three years ago after falling into a pan of boiling fat when she slipped in her kitchen. — AP

Picture shows surgeon Asim Shahmalak and acid attack survivor Asma Fayyaz. — AP