This is really a great and informative discussion! Would like to see more details of your set up, like the skin shader and a screen shot if possible of those render settings being discussed. I save screen shots for later study.

"A lonely climber walks a tightrope to where dreams are born and never die!" - Billy Thorpe, song: Edge of Madness, album: East of Eden's Gate

Weapons of choice:

Poser Pro 2012, SR2, Paintshop Pro 8