Greetings
@DogterB , and welcome to AFN.
I just trim by hand, so far only a wet trim. I rarely have to do more than a plant or two at a time, and don't mind that too much. I might consider a bowl trimmer at some point, but have not bothered yet. Now, if I could figure out how to DIY one...
(Hello, my name is OlderFart, and I have a DIY problem).
Most of what I have read suggests that dry trimming is a bit more of a nuisance due to the sugar leaves curling tight to the buds and being a nuisance to remove. but some here prefer it. I can't advise whether leaving well sugared sugar leaves would affect harshness, but I guess it is possible. The trim jobs I see here vary hugely regarding how many sugar leaves are left, some, including me when I started this mischief, leave virtually none, others leave lots. I would have thought that a good cure would sort harshness, leaves or no, but don't have the experience to help with your decision. If I were you, I would set up a careful test, some with sugars, some without. In any case, I would not leave anything on the buds unless it was well crusted with trichs.
Anyway mate, enjoy your well earned bud, and good luck with your studies.