You can cut fan leaves to expose more light to the rest of the plant.

In some extreme cases, where the heat may approach 95 degrees, the fan leaves will become huge. I too have done it both ways...

And in the future, I just simply wouldnt do it again.

If done in late flower stage, you may be able to get away with it but the harvest time will be accelerated.

Here is the infamous WHORE who underwent near death surgery by removal of most fan leaves. While potent, pure and large, I wouldnt do it again.

2 Befores
2 Afters