Jonnjana,
As you can tell from the other posts, as surgeons we sympathize with your desire for simple, safe and effective treatment of the skin laxity and platysma muscle bands that are showing in your upper neck.
I agree that a series of infrared light-energy based treatments (we would use Sciton laser and broad-band light) is the most likely technique to improve your skin tone in that area, if you don't yet want surgery. I agree that it should be done in addition to periodic Botox treatments. The most likely outcome will be partial improvement. I do not think it will become fairly smooth without surgery.
Neck lift (without facelift) is going to give you more consistent improvement in that particular area. You mention an understandable concern about having anesthesia, although you are probably aware that the anesthesia itself is not the most likely cause of serious problems or complications.
