Massage should be done in a comfortably warm, ventilated but draft-free room like a bathroom. Warm oil should be used for the body and cool to lukewarm oil should be used on the head. In peak summer season cool oil can be used and in cold seasons lukewarm to warm oil should only be used even on the head. For Pitta dominated people or for those with Pitta aggravation, oil at room temperature can be used.

The choice of oils should preferably be made according to your dosha and the area to be massaged. For the head, generally oils with cooling properties are used.

For Vata constitution, use sesame, olive or castor oil.
For Pitta constitution, use coconut, sunflower oil or ghee.
For Kapha constitution, use mustard, sesame, corn or olive oil.

For the body, use sesame, olive, sunflower, mustard or corn oils.
For the head, use coconut oil or sesame oil infused with cooling herbs.
For the feet use any oil appropriate for the dosha. Or use ghee.
In addition, there are several herb-infused oils available for different purposes and can be selected following the advice of an Ayurvedic practitioner.