Permanent hair removal down there?

I have the curse of coarse pubic hair. It’s even more coarser on the vaginal/labia lips and it really can get painful sometimes. I tried shaving it before and got the terrible prickly-cactus effect, so I gave up on trying to shave it down there! Sometimes when I sit down/walk I get a sharp pain in my labia and a few of the hairs stick in there and I have to, well, somehow dig it out. I was considering permanent hair removal only for my vaginal lips if it’s possible. Not for sexual reasons, only for health and comfort. Is laser removal the only permanent solution? Any suggestions? Is this even normal to experience those painful sensations?