Which brings up another question: Is there an easy way to "scrub" a skin shader (script) out of a light/figure and just start again?

Not that I'm aware of. But just load the skin on using the mat pose file.. I mean just click on your skin again  from where you store it in the Pose file.

I'd leave your mainlight intact. You can find the offending light and either move it or just turn it off if no solution works. Use another camera to find it. It's not reflection.

You can set the script to reduce this effect also. "Skin Highlighting".. Or even darken alt specular in the material room.

Don't let this stuff slow you down...