East London acid attack victim Resham Khan shares powerful photo of recovery and says it's 'time to stop hiding'

Student hailed as 'courageous' after sharing selfie on Twitter

Resham Khan shared a selfie showing her recovery on Twitter (Resham Khan/Twitter)

An aspiring model who suffered horrific burns in an acid attack on her 21st birthday said it was "time to stop hiding" as she posted a photo showing her remarkable recovery.

Resham Khan was praised as "courageous" and "an inspiration" after sharing the selfie on social media, where she has previously told of being "too petrified to walk to the shop".

The student and her cousin Jameel Muhktar, 37, suffered extensive burns when a man doused them with a corrosive substance through the window of their car in Beckton, east London, on 21 June.

Ms Khan has since told of her struggle to come to terms with mental and physical scars and "unbearable pain" following the attack. She has also begun campaigning for tighter restrictions on acid sales.

In the days after the attack, the business student at Manchester Metropolitan University released a photo showing horrific burns, scabs and swelling to her face. She said she was "devastated" that her injuries - described as "life-changing" by police - meant she would "probably never look the same".

She wrote on her blog: "Today I was too petrified to walk to my local shop. Too scared to face the world. Too scared of the looks I might get. To scared to tackle the question 'how are you'. Just too scared. That’s all I’ve been. Terrified and reluctant. My life on pause, frozen with fear."

Ms Khan has since posted photos and blog posts documenting her recovery and treatment, which included several skin grafts.

After the latest selfie, many of her 20,000 Twitter followers praised her courage.

"We all respect your bravery and dignity, you have come such a long way," wrote Richard Ward. "Stay strong, you are an inspiration to us all."

Amer Khan said: "Keep breaking barriers and setting the bar, you're doing amazing Resh! With your level of courage and heart, you're destined for greatness."

Another follower added: "You are so lovely, so brave, so compassionate despite all you've been through. I'm proud to look up to you."

Resham Khan in hospital following an acid attack on 21 June (Gofundme)

Ms Khan last month returned to university for the first time since the attack.

Well-wishers have donated nearly £60,000 to an online fundraising page set up by her friend to support her.

More than 534,000 have signed a petition, set up following the attack, calling for tougher restrictions on acid sales.

The incident involving Ms Khan and Mr Muhktar was one of a string of high-profile attacks, and the government has since acted to introduce tougher sentencing for both first-time and repeat offenders carrying or using acid as a weapon.

Under proposals released earlier this month, the Government announced plans to create a new offence of possession of a corrosive substance in public without a good or lawful reason, and said that repeat offenders will automatically face a prison sentence of at least six months.

John Tomlin, of Canning Town, east London, this month pleaded guilty to two counts of inflicting grievous bodily harm on Ms Khan and Mr Muhktar.

The 25-year-old denied causing grievous bodily harm with intent and will stand trial in November at Snaresbrook Crown Court.