I'm looking into underarm laser hair removal. Is there a difference in the recommended number of sessions?

As the weather gets warmer these days, I find myself wearing short sleeves or sleeveless tops more often, and every time I do, I find myself getting self-conscious about my underarms. I usually manage this by shaving, but the hair starts to prickly after just a day or two, and I think my skin has become sensitive from shaving so frequently. There are days when it stings or turns red after shaving, so I am constantly debating whether to get laser hair removal.

To be honest, I used to think it was a waste of money and that shaving would suffice. However, managing it every time was a hassle, and repeating the same dilemma every summer has changed my perspective a bit. My friends also say they feel much more at ease after getting laser hair removal. Hearing that their hair doesn't grow back as thick as before and that the time spent on maintenance has been significantly reduced is making me increasingly interested as well.

However, now that I’ve actually tried to look into it, there are so many clinics and prices vary so widely that I don’t know where to choose. I searched online and noticed that the recommended number of sessions differs slightly from clinic to clinic. Since I heard that you usually need multiple sessions to see proper results, I’m wondering if I have to keep going until the end once I start. My hair is on the thicker side, so I’m also curious how many sessions I would need to see satisfactory results.

And my biggest concern is the pain. Everyone says it is bearable, but I’ve seen a lot of reviews saying it’s not completely painless. Since my skin is on the sensitive side, I’m worried about whether it will turn red or sting after the procedure, and whether it will immediately interfere with my daily life. By any chance, has anyone experienced hyperpigmentation or increased skin sensitivity after getting laser hair removal?

I'm worried that if I decide based solely on price and it doesn't work, it will just be a waste of money, but I'm also not sure if the most expensive place is necessarily the best option. If there are any of you who hesitated like me before finally getting laser hair removal, I'd like to know how many sessions it took to become satisfied and how much pain you experienced.