Rosacea Erythematotelangiectatic

A 48-year-old woman of Celtic ancestry (Fitzpatrick II) presents with a 5-year history of progressive facial redness and episodic flushing triggered by red wine, spicy food, hot showers, and emotional stress. She reports stinging and burning with most cosmetics, and denies comedones. On examination, the structure marked **A** in the diagram—centrofacial persistent erythema—is evident in a characteristic butterfly distribution across the cheeks, central forehead, and nose, with a notable periocular sparing halo. Which of the following best characterizes the pathophysiology underlying this persistent centrofacial erythema in erythematotelangiectatic rosacea?