Fair-skinned people between the ages of 30 and 50 are at the highest risk of developing the skin condition rosacea, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Rosacea and its changes develop over a long period of time. The different skin changes or components of the condition progress until the most advanced stages of the disorder when all of the components may be present.
Flushing
One of the earliest symptoms or components of rosacea is flushing, where the person appears to blush easily. This occurs in the center of the face--including the forehead, nose, cheeks and chin. The flushing is caused by dilation of the blood vessels that are close to the surface of the skin, as noted by the Mayo Clinic. These changes are sometimes called pre-rosacea.
Visible Blood Vessels
As the flushing becomes more persistent, the disease progresses to what is called vascular rosacea. In vascular rosacea, the small blood vessels that were dilating during the flushing period become permanently dilated and visible under the skin. These blood vessels look like red lines on the face. According to the Mayo Clinic, this phase of the condition may also be accompanied by dandruff and oily skin changes.
Pimples and Bumps
In the next phase of rosacea, which is called inflammatory rosacea, another component of the condition becomes evident. The skin develops red bumps and pus-filled pimples on the forehead, nose, cheeks and chin, according to the Mayo Clinic. These bumps and pimples can be confused with adult acne. Eye involvement or ocular rosacea can also develop at this time. The visible blood vessels are still present in this phase, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.
Skin Thickening
In the most advanced cases of rosacea, the skin becomes thickened. This component of rosacea can occur on any part of the face like the forehead or the chin, as reported by National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. However, a common place for this change is on and around the nose. The skin of the nose becomes red, thick and enlarged because of the increased size of the oil-producing glands under the skin. This nose involvement is called rhinophyma and rarely occurs in women. The other components of rosacea including the visible blood vessels and pimples are typically still present at this time as well.
