How many underarm laser hair removal sessions do I need to feel really comfortable? I'm curious to hear from those who have tried it.

Every summer, I get subtly stressed about my underarms, so I'm seriously considering laser hair removal. Shaving it feels fine for the moment, but the hair grows back prickly after a few days, and since I keep shaving, my skin seems to have gotten a bit darker. It bothers me especially when wearing sleeveless tops, so I'm thinking I might as well just get proper hair removal. However, the number of sessions and prices vary significantly from clinic to clinic, so I have no idea how many sessions I need. Some places say about 5 sessions are enough, while others say 10 are necessary; does the time really vary greatly depending on individual hair volume and thickness? Also, I thought laser hair removal would make the hair disappear immediately, but I heard it works by shedding it over a certain period, so I'm curious about that as well. I'm also worried about how painful the procedure is. I'm not very good at handling pain, so I'm getting scared for no reason and putting off making an appointment, haha. For those of you who have had underarm hair removal, I'd like to know at what session it took you to feel noticeably comfortable, and how you managed shaving in between. I would also like to know if anyone has experienced skin redness, stinging, or hyperpigmentation after hair removal. I would also appreciate it if you could let me know if there are any specific points I should definitely check at the clinic during my initial consultation!