Scar Free Foundation Ambassador and Chief Executive call for greater recognition of the impact of scarring in ITV interview

Tuesday 3 November 2026

Scar Free Ambassador Aleema Ali was only 12 years old when she survived 55% burn injuries. Now, at 22, Aleema has spoken to ITV Calendar about her experience, and joined our call for greater recognition of the impact of scarring.

Aleema’s feature was followed by an interview with our Chief Executive Richard Nugee, who explained how those with scarring still face significant barriers to accessing care, despite millions in the UK being affected by scarring’s psychological, emotional, and social impacts.

Watch Aleema and Richard’s full ITV Caledar feature here:

Recalling the moment of her injury, Aleema told ITV:

• “I just suddenly hear my mum screaming and so I’m just frozen in shock wondering why she’s screaming. At that point I didn’t really know what to do with myself. I just thought I was going to die.”

After reaching hospital, Aleema spent six weeks in a coma and underwent extensive treatment. She also had seven fingers amputated, leaving her to relearn many everyday tasks. Reflecting on the challenges of rebuilding her life, she explained:

• “Since then I’ve had to learn how to do everything from scratch.”

As well as the physical changes Aleema had undergone, she also had to face many other challenges. Returning to school and navigating teenage life was particularly difficult, as she adjusted to her changed appearance and the practical and social barriers she encountered:

• “It was really hard because not only did I look so different, I could not speak clearly so nobody could understand what I was saying. I also couldn’t open the doors of the school”

ITV journalist Zane Hogan explained that “today, Aleema is determined to use her experiences to help others.” She is due to graduate as a fully qualified therapist in July and hopes to give something back to the NHS, which supported her throughout her recovery:

• “I really want to give back to the NHS because they’ve helped me so much,” she said.

The ITV Calendar feature also explored our recently published landmark report, The Impact of Scarring, which calls for a fundamental change in how scarring is recognised, researched, and treated across the UK.

Speaking to Zane, Chief Executive Richard Nugee highlighted the significant gap between the number of people affected by scarring and the recognition and research investment the issue receives:

• “This report is basically pointing to the fact that scarring is a significant issue among a very large number of people in this country, but that it is not recognised as an issue at all and so is treated completely differently.”

Our report highlights that an estimated 20 million people in the UK are living with scars, with around five million experiencing scars that have a life-changing impact.

Yet scarring remains an under-recognised health issue. Its consequences can be physical, psychological, emotional and social, and many people face fragmented care and a lack of appropriate long-term support.

The Impact of Scarring sets out a vision for improving the lives of people affected by scars, calling for greater public awareness, more coordinated care, and research investment that reflects the true scale of the challenge.

You can discover the scale of scarring across the UK, hear from people affected and find out what needs to change, via the button below:

Read The Impact of Scarring report

Watch Aleema Ali and Richard Nugee speak to ITV Calendar in the full report:

Watch the ITV Calendar interview

Aleema’s story is a powerful reminder that the impact of scarring does not end when wounds heal or hospital treatment finishes. For many people, the physical, psychological and emotional effects can continue throughout their lives. By sharing her experiences so openly, Aleema is helping to ensure that people living with scars are seen, heard and better understood.

We’re very grateful to Aleema for her continued courage and commitment as an Ambassador, and to ITV Calendar for helping bring this important issue to a wider audience.