This is a test I conducted using a non-human character, Nybras.  The shader SSS node was changed from it's default red to a very light blue.  By doing this, I reduced the overall skin tone to match the shader color.  Nybras was cast against the Terradome skydome with matching lightset.  IBL was completely turned off and IDL used for this render.  Many of the render settings were rather high; this render took approximately 5 hours due to the use of bump and displacement mapping.  Ouch!