Should Laser Hair Removal be excruciatingly painful?

I have had 4 treatments of laser hair removal and each session is more and more painful. I was told African American skin and hair texture is more coarse and requires a certain laser using a higher frequency (?). My last session was excruciating and had to take a break in the middle of the session because it hurt so bad! Is this normal??? Will asking for the laser to be turned down make a difference? I am almost afraid to go back because it hurts so bad.