However, it may alter the perception of the hair, because when hair grows naturally, it's tapered (gets thinner) toward the end.

So when you cut off the end by shaving, or by trimming, it's growing back with the end being the wider width. So that gives the impression of growing back 'thicker'.

But if you had pulled the hair (waxing/plucking), the hair regrowth would start again with the usual tapered end.  It would also take longer to grow back because the base of the hair is actually a bit UNDER the skin, so it would not be visible for a while, and then be thinner and not scratchy when it emerges from your skin.