My husband just puts a little in the palm of his hand and rubs it on his head. Then he works it through with his fingers, and finishes with an 'afro' comb (gently!) I suppose it's about a teaspoonful. Before I was married to him, I had absolutely no idea how different African hair is, and how hard to 'subdue'. In Senegal, I've watched coiffeuses and natteuses (braiders) slosh coconut oil on their clients' heads, then skilfully start braiding, sometimes THREE women at one head, all plaiting away like mad in superb, intricate patterns. Coconut oil is natural and harmless, so the amount you use doesn't really matter. I might add that African skin is different too, rather thick, and tends to get dry. My hubby sloshes Nivea milk on himself, and it keeps his skin soft and supple. Without it, it gets very powdery and dry.