Honestly, it sounds like you don't really have an answer.

I think tattoos are basically a costly form of self harm. I think the health risks & the fact that it is literally a bunch of repeated stabbings makes that position a pretty solid one.

That said, there are arguably all sorts of activities that might constitute forms of self harm, or that at least fall into some sort of risky behavior category. And maybe some of those activities are the sort of things that make life worth living. Idk. Value is subjective, if you think tattoos are a good way to spend money then that's fine. The original post was basically just me talking shit.