you will deaden the sound (or at the very least "change" the sound).
In my view, as with all my instruments - why worry - I personally like the "played" look to my guitars, and dont want them showroom perfect.
When I buy instruments, I rarely sell them, and each ding and scuff I get on my guitars (usually when gigging) tends to carry a story behind it - nice memories.
My main acoustic 6 string is worn as hell on the top, possibly likely to wear through soon, but I love it so much.
I take the same view with Ukes
Dont mis-treat them, but wear and tear from playing is surely a mark of your love for the instrument?