Two things come into play here, I think:
1. if you have a SSS map you have defined areas where the scattering takes place and where not, so you don't have to take care of these areas.
2. the scattering direction. if you use a forward faceing direction (=> +1) you will see the scattering only from lights, that are behind the object. And then the scattering depth plays a role. objects that are too thick wont let the light rays pass through while thinner ones will.
In my settings, raising the absoption only decreases the scattering effect generally, and I prefer to tweak the scattering value, because having a real scale value (in mm) helps me more than some guessing with the apsoption.
I think, it's fine using absorption in materials like jade, milk or similar where the scattering direction is more disordered (0 or to -1), but for the human body it doesn't seem - right - for me.