I am glad your first session did go well!
I am about 10 hours into the process myself and thanks to prior Laser treatment, I may only have 10 hours left. After that, there will be a session every few weeks to cover some regrowth which apparently happens.
In October I'll also add bottom hair removal for more fun. It will be double sessions face and bottom.
You have gotten a lot of helpful tips, and yes, being hydrated is really the key. I usually start the evening before and on the day of the appointment, I try to double water intake. Of course, Spiro makes me go to the bathroom all the time. When I was not hydrated, it took a lot longer to heal and I had an occasional bruise too.
The one item - which I find the most challenging - not mentioned so far is how to deal with the mandatory beard growth. I usually try to schedule 3 appointments on consecutive days and that means almost a week of growths. Unfortunately, life for me continues so I have to be out and about with this strange looking face. A really clear spot next to a bruised up spot next to a 5-day beard. I have to admit, for me, this has been the hardest part and I have canceled the gym a few times since I was afraid it would out me. My trainer is really nice about it and ignores it. but of course, I don't want to be careful and I know it is there. With 5 days, there is also no covering up with makeup.
Good luck and I hope it stays as painless as possible.
Hugs, Sarah