Why was my experience with the GentleMax Pro laser so painful?

Hi, I am 30 year old male with light skin tone and a really thick coarse beard. I decided to get laser done to remove it- the place I went to used a gentle max pro laser. It was sheer torcher and after one pass I didn’t think I could continue! My hands were shaking when I was done from the shock. It’s sounds dramatic but I honestly don’t know how I am going to bring myself to go back? Why would this be affecting me so badly when general concensous is that there should be minimal discomfort?