BB, out of curiosity...have you tried vss on Freak4?
I know how to use vss and have used it many times with V4, did a render yesterday of Freak4, loaded textures (that came with freak4) and then vss...the outcome was tossed but the skin looked a weird glowy fakeness. I know that is quite a lame description but it is the best I can do right now. :P
If you don't have Freak4 let me know and I'll re-render somerthing to show you.
Regards

Comitted to excellence through art.