Hang on.... referring back to the original problem, the issue here is that the two point lights that dasquid has in the scene are not illuminating the figure at all. The SSS issue is a red herring.

Quote - A screen capture of the set up, please. I'm betting it's something even simpler than shaders.

Certainly. It's worth noting that the wall the figure is leaning on is not lit either. It's only visible in silhouette against the glowing figure.

"If I were a shadow, I know I wouldn't like to be half of what I should be."
Mr Otsuka, the old black tomcat in Kafka on the Shore (Haruki Murakami)