Detailed textures and noise reduction problems

[Overread]

So I've been finding that if I run a strong level of noise reduction over a highly textured surface (like animal fur) the fur itself starts to take on a kind of odd looking effect from the combination of noise and sharpening.

So I'm wondering, outside of layer masks and more work in selective noise reduction and sharpening, is there anything that I can do in these noisy areas to fix things? Especially when I've something where I still need to use a higher level of noise reduction over the textured area anyway.

This is an example, not as extreme noise wise, but certainly texture wise on the fur.

 

[pixmedic]

is that a fat squirrel or a skinny porcupine?

 

[Overread]

Neither - its a deadly invader

 

[runnah]

I tend to rarely do overall sharpening or noise reduction as it can cause wonky effects in such areas.

Why bother with noise reduction in such a high texture area? The noise is hidden.