Hello HighestGrade, your girls are doing fine.
WHen they grow so many leaves that means the plant is happy and healthy.
If your still in veg you can defoliate multiple times, just dont do it when your going into flower in the next few days. ( too much stress coudl turn out hermi)
Also when your in flower its best to do it one time and than a heavy defoliation.
Its to my knowledge best to do it round the 3th week of flower.
Defoliation is only to remove big leaves that are blocking buds that arent getting enough light if not defoliated.
And also to encrease airflow to go through your canopy so you dont get mold or budrot.
Hope this was an helpfull answer, Keep on growing my friend.
Peace 👍